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More men adopting adult cats, report reveals
1.5 million new male households now have an adult cat.
There was a noteworthy gender difference in cat adopters.

A new report from UK Pet Food has revealed a significant gender difference in those adopting cats, with more men than women adopting adult cats in the past four years.

The Pet Population Report for 2024 found that 27 per cent of men had adopted an adult cat in the past four years, compared to 18 per cent of women.

This meant that 1.5 million new male households now have an adult cat. In comparison, there were 1 million new female households getting cats.

The data also suggests an increased appreciation for more mature pets, the first time this has happened since the pandemic puppy and kitten boom. A total of 2.5 million households acquired adult cats, and 2.1 million households got adult dogs.

Kittens and puppies remain popular with pet owners, with 2.6 million households welcoming kittens and 3.7 million welcoming puppies.

The report found that 10.9 million homes had acquired a new pet in the past four years.

In total, 17.2 million homes have a non-aquatic pet in 2024. However, fish were also increasing in popularity in 21 per cent of homes.

UK Pet Food said that their repor highlighted the mental health benefits of pet ownership. Over a third of pet owners said that their pet was benefitting their family’s mental health.

A quarter of pet owners admitted to enjoying time with their pet more than with their family.

Meanwhile, half of owners aged over 45 said they would be lonely without their pet.

Daniel Warren-Cummings, behaviour officer at Cats Protection, said: “Cats have always been a popular choice of pet but we’re particularly delighted to see that more men are seeing the benefits of older cats, as well as kittens.

“Just like humans, cats are all different and this is what makes them great pets for people from all walks of life - whether its indoor cats suited to living in a quiet home, or more adventurous ones, which thrive in a busy household, and love exploring the outdoors. We often hear from men who tell us their cats are not only great companions, they’re also incredibly entertaining which can be a great stress-buster.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.