herptrader
Very Well-Known Member
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/animal-magnetism/2005/10/06/1128562941738.html
Perhaps the RSPCA are warming up for a fund raising push - based on their rash of press releases.
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Forget the bar-hopping and buy a horse, a sure-fire way to meet new lovers and friends, new research shows.
The RSPCA survey of almost 200 Australian pet owners has found animals provide more than companionship - they can be "four-legged introduction agencies for their owners".
More than one in 20 respondents credited their pet with introducing them to their partner, with 51 per cent saying they had met someone directly through their animal.
Horses topped the list of most likely to connect people, with 72 per cent of owners surveyed having met new people through their horses.
Dogs were also popular, with an introduction rate of 56 per cent, followed by cats, at 40 per cent.
A four-legged rendezvous was most likely to happen in the park (53 per cent), at animal training (12.5 per cent) in the street (7.2 per cent) or at the vet (four per cent).
RSPCA NSW senior veterinarian Simone Maher said the survey also showed pet owners had superior "pulling power" as potential partners and friends.
"Some 84 per cent of people surveyed said they would rate animals either very highly or highly as conversation starters," Dr Maher said.
"It's well recognised that people find others more appealing if they are accompanied by a friendly animal."
Dr Maher said the animal attraction went further still for some, with 36.2 per cent saying, if forced to choose, they would opt for their pet over their current partner.
"An astounding 86.8 per cent said they would choose their pet over their friends or flatmate," she said.
Almost half said their pet understood them best, compared with 33 per cent who said their partner did.
"In fact, almost a quarter of respondents wished their partner was like their pet," Dr Maher said.
Many also said their pet was a better judge of character than them, with 42 per cent saying their pet could sniff out a "love rat".
Perhaps the RSPCA are warming up for a fund raising push - based on their rash of press releases.
_____________
Forget the bar-hopping and buy a horse, a sure-fire way to meet new lovers and friends, new research shows.
The RSPCA survey of almost 200 Australian pet owners has found animals provide more than companionship - they can be "four-legged introduction agencies for their owners".
More than one in 20 respondents credited their pet with introducing them to their partner, with 51 per cent saying they had met someone directly through their animal.
Horses topped the list of most likely to connect people, with 72 per cent of owners surveyed having met new people through their horses.
Dogs were also popular, with an introduction rate of 56 per cent, followed by cats, at 40 per cent.
A four-legged rendezvous was most likely to happen in the park (53 per cent), at animal training (12.5 per cent) in the street (7.2 per cent) or at the vet (four per cent).
RSPCA NSW senior veterinarian Simone Maher said the survey also showed pet owners had superior "pulling power" as potential partners and friends.
"Some 84 per cent of people surveyed said they would rate animals either very highly or highly as conversation starters," Dr Maher said.
"It's well recognised that people find others more appealing if they are accompanied by a friendly animal."
Dr Maher said the animal attraction went further still for some, with 36.2 per cent saying, if forced to choose, they would opt for their pet over their current partner.
"An astounding 86.8 per cent said they would choose their pet over their friends or flatmate," she said.
Almost half said their pet understood them best, compared with 33 per cent who said their partner did.
"In fact, almost a quarter of respondents wished their partner was like their pet," Dr Maher said.
Many also said their pet was a better judge of character than them, with 42 per cent saying their pet could sniff out a "love rat".
