Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutWhy do Australians love cats and dogs so much?Now I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.
On the Harbour Walk next to the Sydney Opera House, you can always see young parents pushing pet strollers; in Melbourne coffee shops, waiters will take the initiative to bring special drinking bowls for dogs; even the Parliament House in Canberra has a pet check-in... This unique culture of treating pets as family members reflects the deep-seated values of Australian society.
1. Shocking pet data map
According to the 2023 Australian Pet Census Report:
- 62% households have at least one pet
- There are 28.8 million cats and dogs (more than the human population)
- The pet industry is worth A$13 billion per year
- 91%'s owner sleeps with his pet every day
- The government allocates 230 million yuan every year to rescue stray animals
2. “Emotional Revolution” Rooted in Colonial History
The formation of Australian pet culture has its own unique historical trajectory:
1. During the gold rush in the 19th century, guard dogs became a standard feature of mining areas
2. The "Comfort Dog Program" during World War II healed post-war trauma
3. The Animal Welfare Act was born out of the animal rights movement in the 1970s
4. The Companion Animals Act of 2003 established the legal status of pets
5. 2019 legislation prohibiting pet stores from selling non-rescue animals
3. A "pet-friendly" ecosystem that subverts perceptions
Australia has built a world-leading pet service system:
- Housing security:Pets are allowed in the rental properties of 83%
- Medical Insurance:Pet medical insurance reimbursement rate up to 90%
- Travel convenience:Qantas allows pets weighing less than 20kg in the cabin
- Hospice Care:Pet funeral services included in municipal services
- Employment Support:Businesses can get tax breaks for bringing pets to work
Questions related to pet culture in Australia
1. How to adopt a pet from an Australian rescue center?
Need to complete the "Adoption Trilogy":
① Online application: Submit your intention through the RSPCA official website
② Home visit assessment: staff inspect the living environment
③ Signing an agreement: Commitment to sterilization/chip implantation/regular follow-up visits
The average adoption fee is only $250 (including full medical services)
2. Can international students keep pets?
Please note:
✓ Student visa allows keeping a child
✓ Requires prior written consent from the landlord
✓ Must be registered with the council and microchipped
✗ No abandonment upon graduation (maximum fine $5000)
It is recommended to choose a pet turtle or ornamental fish with a longer lifespan
3. What are the special regulations for immigration with pets?
According to the Australian Department of Agriculture's "Pet Immigration Program":
① Apply for import license 10 months in advance ($1200)
② Complete rabies antibody test (designated laboratory)
③ Stay in an official quarantine kennel 30 days before boarding
④ After arriving in Australia, you need to complete 10 days of quarantine observation
Note: Short-nosed dogs (such as French bulldogs) may be restricted from entering the country
From pet-friendly ferries in Sydney Harbor to the Dog Beer Festival in Adelaide; from legislation prohibiting pets from being left alone for more than 24 hours to the development of a pet-specific social app... Australians have demonstrated their respect for life through practical actions. This practice of incorporating pet welfare into the social governance system not only warms tens of millions of furry lives, but also shapes the temperature scale of a civilized society.
Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandWhy do Australians love cats and dogs so much?If you are planning to bring your pet to live in Australia, please feel free to contact us for personalized advice.
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