Ruh roh! 13% of gifted pets rehomed within 5 years
Thousands of pets have been rehomed over the last few years, according to new research from Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,009 respondents found 16% – equivalent to 3.3 million people – have gifted or been gifted an animal over the past 5 years.
Of those who have gifted or been gifted a pet, only 2 in 3 (67%) still have the animal.
More than 1 in 10 (13%) gave the pet away – equivalent to more than 434,000 animals who needed to be rehomed.
A further 1 in 5 (21%) said the pet died.
Peta Taylor, pet insurance expert at Finder, warned Aussies about gifting animals.
"Pets don't make good presents.
"The reality of caring for an animal is a big and often expensive responsibility that not everyone is ready for.
"Adopting an animal is a decision that requires careful consideration by the individual who will be responsible for its daily care."
Young Australians were most likely to give or receive a pet as a present, with almost 2 in 5 (37%) gen Z saying they have, compared to only 7% of gen X and 3% of baby boomers.
Taylor said animals are abandoned at a shelter every year or given away simply because the novelty has worn off.
"Responsible pet ownership involves thorough research, choosing a breed that suits your lifestyle, and being prepared for the long-term commitment.
"If you already own or are thinking about bringing a pet into your life, pet insurance is crucial, as it helps cover unexpected veterinary costs like accidents, illnesses, and routine care, ensuring your pet receives necessary treatment.
"When considering pet insurance, research different providers, and compare coverage options," Taylor said.
Have you gifted or received a pet as a gift in the past 5 years?
| Yes, I have gifted a pet to someone else in the past 5 years | 5% |
| Yes, I have been gifted a pet in the past 5 years | 11% |
| No, I have not gifted or been gifted a pet in the past 5 years | 83% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,009 respondents, November 2024 |  |
Do you still have the pet or does the person you gifted it to still have the pet?
| Yes | 67% |
| No, it died | 21% |
| No, I gave it away/they gave it away | 13% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,009 respondents, November 2024 | |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,009 respondents from November 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.