Furry friends are factored into many households’ plans, with 50.8% of respondents being unlikely or reluctant to go on holiday without their pet. One respondent said their dog was just “another member of our family”, while another said their cat was “treated as family members - humans”. A similar 2023 Pew Research survey found 97% of Americans with a pet considered them a member of their family and 51% considered them as much a part of their family as human family members. Women, people with lower family incomes and people living in urban areas are more likely to view their pets as family members, the 2023 survey found. Dogs and other pets play an important emotional role, especially for people who are isolated or traumatised, the researcher said.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 04, 2026 17:33 UTC