The July 2015 pet survey delivers an almost unanimous message: in this online community, pets are not a “whim,” but an emotional and family need. As many as 94.86% of respondents have a positive attitude toward owning a pet (68.22% very positive + 26.64% positive), while negative attitudes are statistically marginal (1.87% negative and 0.47% very negative). This result suggests that for most people a pet is more than an animal—it is a member of the household and a source of everyday stability.
When asked why people have pets, the answers repeat strikingly: “love,” “love for animals,” “companionship,” and “loneliness.” They reflect a need for unconditional closeness—for a relationship that requires no explanations, yet provides routine, laughter, and comfort. Among the cited motives, “humaneness” and “adopting” also appear, indicating that pets are not only a private emotion but also an ethical choice—“to rescue an abandoned dog or cat.”
In practice, a pet is already present in most households: 35.98% say they were the first to introduce a pet into their household, while 41.59% report that it is a family tradition they continue. Only 6.54% do not want pets, while 8.41% plan to get one. Interestingly, in the “something else” responses the same obstacle often repeats—an apartment, limited space, living conditions—and even an emotional reason: the loss of a previous pet and “recovering” from grief.
Who dominates the “Serbian animal household”? Clearly the dog (39.50%) and the cat (25.97%), followed by fish (7.18%). Turtles, hamsters, birds, and parrots appear in smaller but noticeable shares. This distribution reflects a typical logic: the dog as companion and guard, the cat as a household personality, and “smaller” pets as a choice for limited space or for children.
Housing data further explains the picture: 54.67% of respondents live in a house with a yard, and 42.99% in an apartment. A yard likely makes the decision to have a dog easier, while in comments the apartment is precisely the main barrier. The demographic profile is typical for online surveys: the median age is 35, the average age 36.34, with a wide range (15–100), and the most frequent entry is 19.
In short: this survey points to a society in which a pet is experienced as a remedy for loneliness, a partner in everyday routine, and a symbol of “normality” in daily life. In that picture, a dog and a cat are not a “cost”—but a relationship.
Methodological note: the survey was conducted online (3 July 2015) on a self-selected sample (N=212). The results are not representative of Serbia’s population; they reflect the views of participants at the time of completion.