Socioeconomic situations of pet owner in Van and their views on pet breeding

This study was conducted to determine the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of pet (cat-dog) owners in Van province, their opinions on pet breeding and to reveal the relationships between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with pet ownership preferences. The study material consisted of data obtained from a face-to-face questionnaire survey conducted with 201 pet owners. The majority of the participants were between the ages of 26 and 35 (51.7%), 61.2% were single, 28.4% had children, 76.6% lived in apartments, 44.8% owned property, 59.7% had a bachelor's degree, 44.3% were civil servants, 41.8% earned 51 thousand or more ₺, 51.2% lived with their families, 65.1% adopted pets as hobbies, 45.3% adopted strays, and 65.7% had microchipped pets. Participants' preferences for cat and dog breeds were significantly influenced by gender, marital status, childbearing, type of residence, and ownership, while their attitudes and opinions toward animal care practices varied. Consequently, in Van province, the likelihood of owning a cat or dog was higher among those who were young, childless, had a higher income, had a bachelor's degree, lived in apartments, and were civil servants. Owners of cats and dogs often had their pets microchipped to identify them. Pet owners' preferences for cat-dog species were significantly influenced by gender, marital status, childbearing, type of residence, and ownership. Furthermore, the opinions of cat and dog owners in Van province regarding animal care practices varied, and therefore, it was concluded that cat and dog owners should be encouraged to participate in effective educational activities on animal care practices to promote responsible pet ownership.