Whether Persians or papillons, pets are members of the family to nearly nine out of 10 pet owners in the United States (88 percent). However, this view is slightly more common among women than men (93 percent versus 84 percent). It’s also more common among dog owners than cat owners (93 percent versus 89 percent), according to a recent poll by market research firm Harris Interactive (Rochester, N.Y.).

Almost two-thirds of all Americans (63 percent) own a pet but, the poll shows, certain groups are more likely to own pets. For example, pet ownership is higher among women than men (68 percent versus 57 percent). Pet ownership is higher among Gen Xers and Baby Boomers than younger and older generations (71 percent and 67 percent, respectively). Midwesterners are the most likely to own pets (67 percent); Easterners are the least likely (58 percent). Whites and Hispanics are twice as likely as to own pets as blacks (67 percent and 68 percent versus 35 percent).

Pet ownership is slightly less common among better-educated people: 57 percent of people with a college education own a pet. However, pet ownership increases as incomes increase: 60 percent among those who earn less than $35,000; 56 percent among those earning $35,000 to $49,999; 67 percent among those earning $50,000 to $74,999; and 68 percent among those earning $75,000 or more.
Seven out of 10 people own a dog, while just more than half (52 percent) own a cat. One in six people (15 percent) own fish, 7 percent own a bird and 12 percent own some other type of pet.

Baby Boomers are more likely to own a dog (74 percent), while Gen Xers are more likely to own fish (21 percent).

Mature pet owners, aged 62 and older, are more likely to own one pet (42 percent), while Gen Xers are more likely to own three or more pets.

Two out of three pet owners (65 percent) have bought their pet a holiday present, and one out of three (37 percent) have bought their pet a birthday present. [February 2008 PET AGE]

PETS OWNED IN AMERICA Dogs are the most popular pets among Americans of all ages.
	ECHO BOOMERS (18 to 30)	GEN XERS (31 to 40)	BABY BOOMERS (43 to 61)	MATURES (62-plus)	ALL OWNERS
Dog	66%	68%	74%	71%	70%
Cat	50%	54%	54%	48%	52%
Fish	17%	21%	14%	4%	15%
Bird	5%	6%	8%	11%	7%
Other	17%	22%	8%	2%	12%