A new census project hopes to cast light on Australia's pet population by grilling animal owners on cat and dog obesity, microchipping and the cost of living.
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Insurance company Petplan has commissioned the country's first comprehensive census in an effort to understand the relationship between animals and humans.
The results will include data on health, finance, social relations and domestic life.
Petplan managing director Doug Ford said much of what we knew about animals was based on anecdotal evidence.
He hopes the census results provide the community with more concrete data on our pet population.
''No one has done any study in how Australians relate to their pets,'' he said.
''This will help councils plan for the future and a number of local governments from across Australia have requested the information be provided to them.''
The census attempts to gauge community perceptions of animals with behavioral issues, and looks at changing attitudes towards pets.
''The welfare of animals is considered more than ever. We had a client who spent $32,000 trying to save his dog's life even though our maximum insurance claim is $20,000.''
Other interesting questions in the census include ''Have you ever mixed up your pets name with your partners/children's names?'' and ''What is the weirdest human food that you have given to your dog/cat as a 'treat'?''
Mr Ford said the idea for the census came from the insurance company's British parent company, which collected valuable information about 10,000 pets.
The British census revealed that 32 per cent of owners found it easier to talk to their pet than the opposite sex.
Mr Ford expects more than 10,000 people to take part in the Australian project, which runs until November. For more information, visit petcensus.com.au