No, it’s not your imagination; there’s a proliferation of pugs, poodles, and pointers in certain Sydney neighbourhoods – not to mention doggy daycares and pet-walkers.
Research shows that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world; two-thirds (69 per cent) of Aussie households are now home to one or more pets. Pet insurance provider Petsy has compiled a list of Aussie suburbs that are the cat’s pyjamas when it comes to pet ownership – read on to find out if your area made the list.
While Sydney might be known for its matchbox-sized apartments, it hasn’t deterred city dwellers from getting a pet. The inner-city suburb of Rosebery tied with beachy Maroubra for first place, while the bustling 'burbs of Alexandria (second), North Sydney (fourth), and Marrickville (fifth) rounded out NSW’s top five. Looks like high-rise apartment living hasn’t put a “paws” on pet ownership.
These are the top NSW suburbs for pet ownership:
- Rosebery & Maroubra (equal first)
- Alexandria
- Macquarie Park
- North Sydney
- Marrickville
We think two factors can be pointed to for the boost in our pet population. Firstly, in August 2021, the NSW Government put an end to blanket bans on animals in strata buildings, allowing more owners and tenants to get a pet. Secondly, there’s the not-so-small matter of the pandemic that saw many Sydneysiders adding a furry friend to their families.
In Victoria, it’s a similar story, with the busy suburbs of the Melbourne CBD, Preston, South Yarra, and St Kilda all boasting an ample number of pet parents.
Over in Queensland, the Goldy is where pets reign supreme – the suburbs of Pimpama, Southport, and Coomera have claimed their spots on the pet ownership leaderboard.
However, in South Australia and Western Australia, where space isn’t tight, the trend flips – it’s all about suburbs with big backyards and beach access when it comes to having doggies and moggies.
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