Ruh roh! 13% of gifted pets rehomed within 5 years
Thousands of pets have been rehomed over the last few years, according to new research from Finder.
Â
A Finder survey of 1,009 respondents found 16% – equivalent to 3.3 million people – have gifted or been gifted an animal over the past 5 years.
Â
Of those who have gifted or been gifted a pet, only 2 in 3 (67%) still have the animal.
Â
More than 1 in 10 (13%) gave the pet away – equivalent to more than 434,000 animals who needed to be rehomed.
Â
A further 1 in 5 (21%) said the pet died.
Â
Peta Taylor, pet insurance expert at Finder, warned Aussies about gifting animals.
Â
"Pets don't make good presents.
Â
"The reality of caring for an animal is a big and often expensive responsibility that not everyone is ready for.
Â
"Adopting an animal is a decision that requires careful consideration by the individual who will be responsible for its daily care."
Â
Young Australians were most likely to give or receive a pet as a present, with almost 2 in 5 (37%) gen Z saying they have, compared to only 7% of gen X and 3% of baby boomers.
Â
Taylor said animals are abandoned at a shelter every year or given away simply because the novelty has worn off.
Â
"Responsible pet ownership involves thorough research, choosing a breed that suits your lifestyle, and being prepared for the long-term commitment.
Â
"If you already own or are thinking about bringing a pet into your life, pet insurance is crucial, as it helps cover unexpected veterinary costs like accidents, illnesses, and routine care, ensuring your pet receives necessary treatment.
Â
"When considering pet insurance, research different providers, and compare coverage options," Taylor said.
Have you gifted or received a pet as a gift in the past 5 years?
| Yes, I have gifted a pet to someone else in the past 5 years | 5% |
| Yes, I have been gifted a pet in the past 5 years | 11% |
| No, I have not gifted or been gifted a pet in the past 5 years | 83% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,009 respondents, November 2024 |  |
Do you still have the pet or does the person you gifted it to still have the pet?
| Yes | 67% |
| No, it died | 21% |
| No, I gave it away/they gave it away | 13% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,009 respondents, November 2024 | |
Sources
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,009 respondents from November 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Ask a question