Pets & Russians

How do Russians feel about pets? What are the most popular pets in Russia?

asked by _anzawest_

OFFICIAL INFO
According to the latest 2010 sociological studies (not reflected on the picture) (http://www.amic.ru/news/120790/) 56 % of Russians own a pet. 57% of owners are single people and 56% are married couples. 25% of people blamed their love for pets on the tradition, 22% believe that pets help them to be less stressed, 14% admit that a pet helps them to feel less lonely and 10% had been convinced by their kids.
SO..... the most popular household pet in Russia is not a bear ))))) but a cat.
37% of Russians have a cat.

Interesting to mention that the older the owner is the less demanding he is for the race of his pet.
29% of Russians claim to be happy with an outbred cat and only 8% of owners have a cat of a special breed. (Does the affection has a race??)))

Every third Russian citizen owns a dog. Just live previous case, 19% prefer an outbred dog to 11% of those who prefer a pedigree one.

And only 4% of people give their love to a goldfish (Do we still believe that they make the wish come true?))), 3% to an in-house birds and 2% to other small animals (hamsters, turtles, etc).

SENTIMENTAL

Oh... pets! What would it be like our life without them??? )))) Who of us, growing up in small apartments didn't dream of having a pet.

Well, not even kids )))) Still how many of Russian girls wanted to get a little dog after watching a film on A. Chekhov's "The lady with the little dog"! )))))))

Even those who's finances or flat size don't allow to have a pet at home (and according to the statistics : 43% of population) find their way to fill this gap of affection and express their love to the fauna (well, according to the means and age, of cause)))).

P.S.

Well, I don't want to idealize the situation. Helas, it is true that Russia remains one of the few European countries where you still see wild pets living on the streets, many of which just like in other countries were abandoned by the owners... This of cause has nothing to do with the national qualities..as everywhere it is related to the human characteristics of a person abandoning his pet.