As millions of people return to the office, the question remains what to do with all the “coronavirus pets” kept during the pandemic.
A recent survey conducted by Finder revealed that pet owners are increasingly turning to surveillance technology to keep an eye on their furry friends while they're away.
The study found that millions of pet owners use video cameras to remotely monitor their pets.
spy on pets
The survey of 1,062 respondents, including 570 pet owners, found that approximately one in five pet parents (22%) use these devices to spy on their pets. It became clear that he was admitted.
This means around 1.4 million households across Australia have pet cameras installed to keep track of their cat or dog's activities when they're not around.
A further 7% of pet owners indicated their intention to install such cameras in the future, highlighting the growing popularity of this technology among pet lovers.
How to keep a pet
Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, with an estimated 28.7 million pets currently living in the country.
In terms of households, the survey noted that 69% of households with pets own surveillance cameras to monitor their animals, a notable increase from 61% in 2019.
Interestingly, the study also found that pet camera adoption varies by generation.
Millennials are leading the way, with nearly one in three Millennials (28%) admitting to having installed these devices, compared to 20% of Gen X individuals.
emotional connection
Gary Ross-Hunter, insurance expert at Finder, shared his insights on this emerging trend, highlighting the emotional connection between pet owners and their animals. He said: “Millions of Australians can't bear to be separated from their pets and are flocking to this technology to keep an eye on their four-legged friends. Some of these setups include audio and treat delivery capabilities. Some also have.
“Big Brother tactics can be used to catch animals in the act of mischief, or simply to alleviate separation anxiety.”
However, despite increasing reliance on surveillance technology, only a small proportion of Australian pet owners have invested in pet insurance.
According to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, only 16% of pet owners have pet insurance, raising concerns about the financial protection of these precious animals.
