Australia’s dog capital revealed: More than half of Ipswich owns a pooch
Key takeaways
- Ipswich has the highest rate of dog ownership, with 53% of residents owning at least one dog.
- Sydney edges out Melbourne for cat ownership, by just one percentage point.
- What's next: Vet bills can climb fast, so it pays to compare pet insurance while your pet is young and healthy.
If you've ever walked through an Ipswich park on a Sunday morning, this statistic won't come as a shock.
The Queensland city has the highest rate of dog ownership, according to new Finder data, with 53% of residents owning at least one dog.
That's more than half the city sharing their couch with a four-legged housemate.
Meanwhile, the great Sydney vs Melbourne rivalry has found a new battleground: cats. Sydney just edges out Melbourne for cat ownership, by a single percentage point.
All that love can come at a price
Whether you're Team Dog or Team Cat, owning a pet isn't cheap.
From food to toys, grooms, vet visits and everything else in between, it doesn’t take much for our four-legged family members to run up a hefty bill.
And that’s not including any health scares.
Depending on the treatment, surgery can cost anywhere from $1,500 to more than $6,000. And if you’re not financially prepared, it could force you to make a decision no pet owner should ever have to.
Back in June, Finder research found the average Aussie would spend $5,545 on vet treatment before considering putting their pet down.
Get rewarded for protecting your pet
If you purchase an RSPCA Pet Insurance PetFlex policy through Finder before 18 December 2026, you can get a $200 digital Visa gift card. New customers also get their first 2 months free.
The RSPCA PetFlex policy lets you tailor cover to your budget, with a choice of up to 90% back on eligible vet bills and annual limit options up to $35,000.
Existing RSPCA Pet Insurance customers can qualify too, if their policy started on or before 31 March 2026 and they switch to PetFlex through Finder. T&Cs apply.
RSPCA Pet insurance is issued, arranged and administered by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd ‘Pacific’ (ABN 83 169 311 193 | AFS Licence No. 523921). This product is promoted and distributed through Pacific’s authorised representative RSPCA Pet Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 26 685 406 973 | AR 1318294). Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions and excesses may apply.
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