Owning pets in today's society

Marree MacCallum

Abstract

BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH

This paper presents some exploratory qualitative research that MacCallum Research completed in 1992. The research was about current and past per owners' attitudes towards dog and cat ownership and it examined motivations and benefits of pet ownership and the personal, familial and social context within which they occur.

The study was purely qualitative in nature, using non-directive group discussions, conducted in private homes. Twenty group discussions were held in all; 10 amongst women and 10 amongst men; all respondents were current owners of cats and dogs, or had owned such pets in the past 7 years. Groups were spread across the age ranges of 20-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56-65 years, and were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Tamworth and Central Coast New South Wales. The research was carried out by Maree MacCallum and Margie Beaumont with Hugh Mackay playing an active consulting role.

About the author

Maree MacCallum
MacCallum Research and Training Services
MacCallum Research Pty Ltd
5 Fawcett Street
Balmain
NSW 2041
Telephone (02) 810 6867

The study by MacCallum Research Pty Ltd has been published by the Petcare Information and Advisory Service, 43 Walsh Street, West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, under the title What Australians Feel About Their Pets (September 1992). Queries can be directed by telephone (03) 329 5438 or facsimile (03) 329 0393.

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