Cats in Australia - the Statistics

Posted by: Cat Diaries on 23 Feb 2010

Aussies love their pets. According to the Australian Companion Animal Council, almost two-thirds of the nation’s 6.6 million households have a pet of some sort living there. Not surprisingly, dogs and cats feature most prominently, with 53 per cent of all households home to one or the other.

In total, there are a staggering 37.1 million pets in this country, and although not the most popular (fish top the poll at 20 million, followed by 7.8 million birds and 3.7 million dogs), cats are well-represented. According to statistics compiled in 2007, there were 2.2 million pet cats nationwide. However, surprisingly perhaps, the statistics suggest that the cat population is now declining.

There were an estimated 3.2 million cats in Australia in 1988, so numbers have dropped by about a million in the intervening two decades. The national average of ownership has dropped accordingly, from an estimated national average of 13 cats per every 100 people in 1998 to 11 cats per every 100 people nine years later.

The following table shows a state-by-state breakdown of cat ownership, so you can see how your region is faring in the cat-loving stakes.

•   NSW/ACT – 730,000 cats (10 per every 100 people)
•    VIC – 581,000 cats (11 per every 100 people)
•    QLD – 386,000 cats (9 per every 100 people)
•    SA/NT – 251,000 cats (14 per every 100 people)
•    WA – 217,000 cats (11 per every 100 people)
•   TAS – 78,000 cats (16 per every 100 people)
•    TOTAL – 2,243,000 cats (11 per every 100 people)

(SOURCE: TNS, ABS and BIS Shrapnel estimates)

One Response to “Cats in Australia - the Statistics”

Tanya says:

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This is just anecdotal, but I believe that one factor possibly causing a drop in cat numbers could be due to the fact that it is so hard to find a rental property that allows any pets, let alone a cat. 20 years ago, you could rent pretty much anything, and most people were happy with cats, even in a unit or apartment. Now, even if you own a unit, body corporate rules generally will not allow you to have a pet in the unit.

I guess also, and I hope, people are more responsible with their cats and are getting them de-sexed.

And of course, you have the cost of owning a pet, and diseases such as FIV. All could play a part.

I’m just so happy I have my cat – she’s one of the best things in my already great life. I hope people aren’t missing out!

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