Canada has seen a significant increase in pet owners since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 27, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increase in pet ownership, with adoption rates rising as people stay home. Results from our research confirm that of current pet owners, a significant portion have obtained a pet since the pandemic started (18%).

Overall, over one-half of Canadians currently have a pet in their household, while just under one-half do not. Perhaps unsurprisingly, cats and dogs are by far the most commonly-owned pets and are essentially tied in popularity. Interestingly, residents living in Quebec and Nova Scotia are less likely to own a dog and more likely to own a cat. Those in BC and the Prairies are more likely to own a dog compared to any other region.

Among Canadian pet owners, 18% report they obtained a new pet since the start of the pandemic.

When looking across the population, those 18-24 are the most likely to have purchased a pet since the start of the pandemic (38%), with Boomers being the least likely to (9%). Otherwise, results are consistent across demographics.


Results shown are from a survey conducted online November 11 – 13, 2020, with 1,231 Canadians 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s Canadian Omnibus. Fielding every month, the Logit Group’s COVID-19 Omnibus surveys Canadians to ask their opinions and behaviours related to topical issues. Results were analyzed by Narrative Research. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect these population characteristics in each province. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.   

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Chapman, COO, Narrative Research – 902.222.4048, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

OR

Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com

Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company was recently certified as WBE (Women Business Enterprise). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. 

The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented. 

Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup

To read as a pdf, click here.