TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) released survey results on Friday (May 31), revealing a significant increase in the number of household pets across the nation.
According to the survey, the estimated number of pet dogs has reached approximately 1.49 million, marking a 19% increase. Meanwhile, the estimated number of pet cats has soared to about 1.31 million, a staggering 50% increase.
Pet Population Boom
MOA attributes the sharp rise in pet cat numbers partly to including mobile phone numbers in the sampling process, a change from previous surveys. The 2023 survey, with an effective sample size of 10,348, expanded its reach by adding randomly selected mobile phone numbers to the traditional landline numbers.
According to MOA's Department of Animal Welfare deputy head, Chen Chung-hsing (陳中興), this methodological adjustment is one of the reasons behind the explosion in cat numbers.
Adapting to Changes
The survey also highlighted a shift towards more diverse pet ownership, with 9.3% of households owning pets other than dogs or cats, an increase of 3.3% from the previous period. As urbanization progresses, the percentage of households owning cats has risen to 10.4%, up by 3.8%, while dog ownership has seen a modest increase of 1.3%, reaching 13.8%.
In response to these trends, MOA announced plans to assess the feasibility of implementing a cat registration system to better manage the surge in cat ownership. This move aims to adapt governmental administrative management to the country's changing landscape of pet ownership.
The findings underscore the need for updated policies to accommodate the growing diversity in pet ownership, ensuring responsible pet management and welfare in the face of rapid urbanization and changing societal norms.
