Pet cats outnumber pet dogs, survey shows Staff writer, with CNA
The number of pet cats in Taiwan surpassed that of pet dogs for the first time last year, reaching 1,742,033, a 32.8 percent increase from 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday, citing a survey.
By contrast, the number of pet dogs declinedslightly by 1.2 percent over the same period to 1,462,528, the ministry said.
Despite the shift, households with dogs still slightlyoutnumber those with cats by 1.2 percent.
However, while the number of households with multiple dogs has remainedrelatively stable, households keeping more than two cats have increased, contributing to the overall rise in the felinepopulation.
The trend reflects broader social changes, including a growing number of single-person households, Department of Animal Welfare Director Chiang Wen-chuan (江文全) said.
In urban areas, where living spaces are typically smaller, cats are often seen as more suitable pets than dogs, Chiang added.
The survey showed that registration rates for both dogs and cats have risen in the past few years.
Dog registration increased from 69.5 percent in 2021 to 77.2 percent last year, while cat registration rose from 58.45 percent in 2023 to 66.48 percent.
However, some pet owners remainunaware that cats are also subject tomandatoryregistration, followingamendments to the Animal Protection Act (動物保護法), which were announced on Dec. 16, 2024 and took effect on Jan. 1, the ministry said.
This highlights the need for greater public awareness, the ministry added.
Regionally, dog registration rates remaincomparatively low in Chiayi, Yunlin and Changhua counties, at 44.7 percent, 63.6 percent and 66.2 percent respectively, although they have gradually improved over time.
Sterilization rates for dogs have also increased, rising from 66.41 percent in 2021 to 71.75 percent last year.
Neutering rates for female dogs, a key indicator in controlling the straypopulation, have remained high, suggesting that source management measures are taking effect, although specific figures were not provided, the ministry said.
The ministry said it would continue to bolster oversight, policy guidance and public education in areas with lower registration and sterilization rates to reduce stray animal populations at the source.
surpass|(v.) 超越 多益常客!新聞中用來描述台灣寵物貓數量「超越」寵物狗,在職場上表示數量、成就超過對手時非常實用。 • Our sales in Q3 surpassed our competitors.(我們第三季的業績超越了競爭對手。) • This new cat food surpassed all my expectations!(這款新貓咪罐頭完全超乎我的預期!)
outnumber|(v.) 在數量上超過 字首 out- 加上 number,直觀好記!新聞中指出台灣養狗的家庭比例仍稍微「多於」養貓的家庭,比較雙方數量時超級好用。 • The advantages of this project outnumber the disadvantages.(這個專案的優點多於缺點。)
contribute to|(phr.) 導致、促成 除了「貢獻」,更常用來表示某個原因「導致」了某個結果,例如多貓家庭增加了整體貓咪數量。 • Stress can contribute to health problems.(壓力會導致健康問題。) • The doctor warned him about his elevatedblood pressure.(醫生警告他要注意自己偏高的血壓。)
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