• 12 million Australians are associated with pets.
• 63% of the 7.5 million households in Australia own pets.
• Australia has one of the highest incidence of pet ownership in the world.
• Typically, the major carer of the pet is female, married with children, living in the suburbs and most likely employed.
• 91% of pet owners report feeling 'very close' to their pet, reinforcing that pets are an integral member of the family unit, however constituted.
• Pets were a normal part of childhood for more than 83% of Australians.
• Of the Australians who do not currently own a pet, 53% would like to do so in the future.

The pet care industry is one of the largest in Australia. It contributes around $4.62 billion to the economy annually and employs 44,700 people.

In aggregated terms, the pet care industry is among the largest in Australia - both in terms of turnover and employment.

Source: The Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia Pty Ltd (PIAS)