Just over half the households in the UK own a pet, ranging from dogs, cats and rabbits to the more exotic snakes and spiders.
 
· Dogs and cats have traditionally been the most popular British pets. Their population has remained fairly stable over the past six years and in 2002 amounted to 13 million.

· Over the past 10 years changes in lifestyle and how households are structured have affected the relative populations of dogs and cats, with the cat population gradually increasing to out-number dogs.

Dog ownership has shown a gradual decrease over recent years, with more people living alone, and with more couples both going out to work.
Urban living and modern working lifestyles favour the free living, independent cat over the more dependent dog. Cat ownership is greater in the more urban South of England in owner occupied dwellings.
 
There is a growing trend among pet owners towards owning unusual or exotic animals. Snakes, reptiles and tropical fish are all growing in popularity, however ownership of exotic pets

demands time and commitment from the owner. Prospective owners should be aware that such animals often require specialist attention and should seek appropriate veterinary advice before acquiring them.

Companion animals have been part of our lives for most of recorded history and this strong bond between people and pets has endured.  Today there is growing recognition that pet ownership can have a real impact on our physical and psychological well being.