New Zealanders love their pets, or ‘companion animals’ as they are sometimes called. We have 4.2 million people but 5 million companion animals. 68% of homes have a pet. Nearly 50% of homes have a cat or more than one cat. There are 1.4 million cats living with New Zealand families. There are 700,000 dogs; 29% of homes have a dog.
Companion animals include pet fish, rabbits, birds and horses. People who live in apartments or people who rent their home usually choose fish for pets. Those who live near rural areas may choose horses.
Companion animals cost a lot to keep. New Zealanders spend $360m a year on visits to the vet and that does not include vet fees for farm animals. Pet owners spend in total $1.6bn a year on food, health products and vet fees every year. Dogs are the most expensive animal.
Vocabulary
• companion – a friend or animal to keep you company, to be with you
• vet, veterinarian – animal doctor