PETS OVER PARTNERS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, BRITS SAY

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many are looking forward to spending time with their special someone, however new research from Battersea reveals six in ten (62%) Brits believe their relationship with their pets can be more rewarding than with their significant other. Women feel this particularly strongly, with 57% agreeing, noticeably higher than the 49% of men who said the same.
Pets also play a starring role in modern dating decisions, with almost two thirds (62%) of respondents saying the way someone treats a dog or cat would influence their opinion on whether they would want to date them at all. When it comes to dating apps, furry companions are proving to be the ultimate wingmen, with nearly a third (30%) of Brits saying they are more likely to match with someone online if their profile features a dog or cat. This trend is particularly prevalent among younger generations, where the figure jumps to over half (52%) among 25–34‑year‑olds and close to half (44%) for 18–24-year-olds. Brits most commonly associate pet owners with positive character traits such as being caring, responsible and trustworthy; the top three traits linked to both dog and cat owners in the research.
Rebecca MacIver, Centre Manager at Battersea London, said: “This research highlights what we already know at Battersea, that the relationship people have with their pets is one of the most rewarding and important bonds in their lives. Our expert teams go all in for every dog and cat that comes through our doors, getting to know them as individuals so we can give them exactly what they need, whether that’s specialist care or simply time, patience and affection. With 64% of Londoners saying the way someone treats a dog or cat would influence whether they’d want to date them, it’s clear that pets are playing a bigger role than ever in how people connect, from first impressions to choosing a partner.”