How Cat Friendly is Your City?

According to the Australian Companion Animal Council’s survey of 1800 Australian pet owners, all Australian cities could be doing more to deliver livability for people and pets.

The survey looked into how livable pet owners believe the city or area they live in is. Melbourne polled first as the most livable place for people and pets in Australia, with an average ranking of over seven out of 10.

For cat owners, the most important factor was simply being permitted to keep a cat where they live, with over 90 per cent of survey respondents ranking that issue the highest. For information on renting with cats, click here.

Lagging behind Europe

Dr Kersti Seksel of the Australian Companion Animal Council believes that while Melbourne received the highest ranking, there is room for improvement across all Australian cities:

‘If we are to improve our cities’ livability for people and pets, we should ensure certain key criteria are met. For example, pet-friendly regulations for tenants and owners wishing to keep pets in their homes… In Europe, pets are such a part of daily life, they may hold a European Union Pet Passport containing contact and vaccination details, which enables them to be moved between European countries ensuring many happy family holidays.’

‘Cities and communities need to plan for pets if you consider six out of every 10
Australian households own a pet,’ Dr Seksel says.

‘Pets are very important, not only to provide happiness to their owners, but also in terms of health benefits. Research shows living with pets provide health benefits, including decreasing your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels, as well as many psychological, social and emotional benefits,’ Dr Seksel adds.

For the record, here’s how each capital city fared in the survey (marks out of 10):

•    Melbourne – 7.13
•    Adelaide – 7.09
•    Perth – 6.58
•    Canberra – 6.49
•    Brisbane – 6.24
•    Hobart – 6.07
•    Sydney – 6.07
•    Darwin – 5.82

How cat-friendly is your city/region? Use the Comment facility below to let us know.

Images by daffie @ flickr and midorisyu