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UK couples substitute kids with pets
26 November 2008
One in three Brits would rather have a pet than a baby, according to new research which shows many are just not into motherhood or fatherhood.
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Around 37 per cent of respondents to a survey by Petplan revealed that if their partner was getting broody, they would buy them a pet.
Surprisingly, this sentiment was not just shared by men, but women equally as the same proportion of both sexes said they would satisfy that broody feeling by taking a visit to the pet store.
Around one per cent of men said they would rather have a pet than become a father.
One in 20 married couples revealed they had already purchased a pet before starting a family, with 17 per cent saying it was merely to give them some company.
Dogs, cats and rabbits were there most popular child substitutes, with Molly, Alfie and Charlie the most popular pet names.
A spokesman for Petplan said: "This research shows that we are treating our pets more like members of our family than ever before, and we are even naming them as we would our children.
"Our records show, the way we name our pets often reflects what is happening in society at any given time. For example, we saw a sudden rise in the name 'Alfie' when Shane Richie's character in Eastenders became popular. And just last week, we had a customer register two kittens named 'Credit' and 'Crunch'."
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