{"id":129,"date":"2026-01-05T22:49:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T22:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eutonom.eu\/marianafigueiredo\/?p=129"},"modified":"2026-01-15T14:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T14:44:10","slug":"pets-happiness-a-data-driven-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eutonom.eu\/marianafigueiredo\/2026\/01\/05\/pets-happiness-a-data-driven-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Pets = Happiness – How the Pandemic Affected Pet Ownership in Ireland."},"content":{"rendered":"

Humans and animals have always shared a special bond. For centuries, our furry friends have repeatedly brought joy into our lives, showing us unconditional love and proving to loyal companions. The Covid-19 pandemic was a difficult time for all, and many people struggled with their mental health.<\/p>\n

The Social Impact of Covid-19 Survey 2020<\/a>, from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), shows that during covid Irish people experienced a significant increase in feelings of nervousness, depression and loneliness during the pandemic when compared to 2018. The statistics show that 35.5% of Irish people reported \u2018being very nervous\u2019, 32.4% were \u2018feeling downhearted or depressed\u2019 and 26.6% were \u2018feeling lonely\u2019.<\/p>\n

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This resulted in many Irish people looking for companionship and many chose to adopt a pet. According to the 2021 Pulse Survey<\/a> by the CSO, the Pandemic saw a rise in pet ownership with 20% having acquired their pet at the start Covid. Of these people, 87% said that the pet had a positive effect on their mental health.<\/p>\n

The increase was so significant that Dogs Trust, a well-known charity organisation for dogs in Ireland, began the country\u2019s first \u2018Dog Census\u2019<\/a> in 2024. According to their report, 88% adopted a dog for companionship, 85% for unconditional love, 59% for mental health benefits and 53% for physical health benefits, when asked why they got a dog.<\/p>\n

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\nPhoto: Mariana Figueiredo<\/em><\/p>\n


\n<\/em>Other well-known organisations such as Petmania<\/a>, Ireland\u2019s leading pet retailer, also created their own report in 2023, (Ireland\u2019s Pet Report: An Insight into the Lives of Irish Pets)<\/a>, and found that 63% of people had said they got a pet for companionship, 62% said their pet helps reduce their stress\/anxiety and 56% had seen an improvement in their mood when around their pet.<\/p>\n

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Dogs remain the most popular pet amongst Irish households according to many of these reports. Petmania\u2019s 2023 report states that 81% of households own a dog, 28% own a cat and 20% own both. A more recent CSO report, \u2018Covid-19 \u2013 Our Lives Five Years On\u2019<\/a>, also confirms dogs are the most popular Irish household pet with 67% stating they have a dog and 30% have a cat. According to the Dogs Trust Census, the most popular dog breeds were :<\/p>\n

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  1. Jack Russells 10%<\/li>\n
  2. Labradors 8%<\/li>\n
  3. Collies 7%.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Photo: Mariana Figueiredo<\/em><\/p>\n

    However, the increase in pet ownership has resulted in a significant rise in pet population and this has caused many cases of abandoned and surrendered animals being taken in by many shelters across Ireland. In 2023, RT\u00c9 shared an interview with Dr. Cyril Sullivan, Chief Executive at the ISPCA<\/a> (Irish Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals), where he discusses why most shelters around the country are struggling with overcrowding.<\/p>\n

    Dr. Sullivan said:<\/p>\n

    \u201cA lot of people have returned to work so in terms of people taking dogs in for rehoming, for us has gone down, and the number of breeders, be it legal or illegal during covid, grew their businesses significantly because of the demand for dogs going into homes, have now a situation where their market has disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt is a national crisis in terms of animal welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n