A Survey of Household Pets in Taiwan,1995

• Main Authors: Chang, Sheng Li, 詹勝利
• Other Authors: Lin, Ruey Shiung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1996
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/02151039783266888047

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 84 === As more and more people in Taiwan become pet owners, the present study surveyed nearly 4,200 households of Hsi-Chih, a town adjacent to Taipei city, to study the prevalence and types of pet in the urban area, to explore the determinants of owning pets at households, and to investigate the relationship between family characteristics and pet ownership. Face-to-face interviews of people from 4,146 households were completed between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1995 to obtain information on family characteristics and household environments. Among the households being visited, 833 owned pet(s) and were requested by telephone interview thereafter to provide information on types of pet, pet s medical care usage, and ways of disposal of excretion. Four hundreds and ninety ( 58.8% ) households were successfully interviewed; A total data of 684 dogs and 59 cats were obstained. The results show that the prevalence rate of pet ownership was around 26% in the study area, and dog was the most prevalent ( 71% ) pet. The reasons why some households did not own pets can be attributable to limited time, unavailability of proper space, no interest of being a pet owner, and avoidance of insanitary environment. Fun is the leading factor of owning pets for most families ( 53% ). The other factors includ seeking a watchdog, in favor of dog to live with, and taking care of unattended dogs. The three major pet dogs are pomeranian, maltese, and poodle, respectively. The results also show that the average family size is larger in those families with pets, as compared to the families without pets ( P < 0.01 ). Additionally, pets are more likely to be raised in the apartments situated at ground floor and by the families with higher economic status. (truncated)