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HABRI works to educate as many people as possible about the health benefits of the human-animal bond for a healthier, more pet-friendly society. Education is a powerful tool not only to promote awareness, but to inspire action. From HABRI’s survey of pet owners, we know that the more people learn about the science of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take better care of their pets.
The following is a series of downloadable, shareable resources from HABRI about the research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond.
Please feel free to share these resources on your social media channels, websites, and blogs, and to share with your colleagues, friends and family. Thank you!
International Survey of Pet Owners & Veterinarians
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) in partnership with Zoetis commissioned a survey of 18,145 dog and cat owners and 1,357 small animal veterinarians from nine countries, including Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This survey, conducted by CM Research Ltd., was tested at a confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05).
HABRI and Zoetis commissioned this survey to gain a deeper understanding of how the human-animal bond is perceived and impacts behavior among pet owners and veterinarians worldwide. The research shows that the human-animal bond is strong, that pets positively impact their owners’ health, and that stronger bonds are connected to improved veterinary care around the globe.
View the full results from the International Survey here:
Additionally, please feel free to share these graphics on your social media channels, websites, and blogs, and to share with your colleagues, friends and family.
- 98% of Pet Owners Have Experienced at Least 1 Positive Health Benefit of Pet Ownership
- HABSCORE Breakdown by Country
- How Pet Owners Think About Their Pet
- Overview of HABSCORE Distribution
- Strongly Bonded Cat Owners Do More Preventative Care
- Strongly Bonded Cat Owners Have Higher Propensity to Seek Care
- Strongly Bonded Dog Owners Do More Preventative Care
- Strongly Bonded Dog Owners Have Higher Propensity to Seek Care
- Strongly Bonded Pet Owners are Less Price Sensitive
Pet Owners Survey
The HABRI Benchmark Survey of Pet Owners asked pet owners from across the United States about awareness, attitudes and behavior related to the human-animal bond. This online survey was conducted with a U.S. nationally representative of sample of adults 18+ years old who own at least one pet.
These new results, which come five years after HABRI’s first Benchmark Survey of U.S. Pet Owners, capture the growing strength and importance of the human-animal bond. The increased closeness to our pets has been accelerated by the pandemic, but other factors, including generational shifts, have marked an upward trajectory over the last five years.
In 2016, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) partnered with Cohen Research Group to conduct an online survey of 2,000 pet owners, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2%.
This was the first survey of its kind to explore how pet owners’ knowledge of the health benefits of the human-animal bond impacts pet care and welfare.
To read and share the comprehensive survey results, please see the Pet Owners Factsheet here:
Health Care Savings of Pet Ownership
HABRI commissioned a new economic analysis on the health care cost savings of pet ownership, updating previous estimates based on new research that reflect the maturing field of study. This research, co-authored by Terry L. Clower, PhD and Tonya E. Thornton, PhD, MPPA, concludes that pet ownership saves the U.S. health care system $22.7 billion every year as a conservative estimate of total savings. HABRI created a shareable infographic highlighting these savings. This report was made possible by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital.
- 2023 Report: The Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership
- 2023 Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership Infographic
The 2023 report provides updated data HABRI originally commissioned in an economic analysis on the health care cost savings associated with pet ownership in 2016. From the data collected in 2016, the researchers calculated an $11.7 billion savings in U.S. healthcare costs as a result of pet ownership.
- 2016 Report: Healthcare Cost Savings from Pet Ownership
- 2016 Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership Infographic
Physicians Survey
In 2014, HABRI partnered with the Cohen Research Group to conduct an online panel survey of 1,000 doctors and family physicians. The physicians in the survey had a median of 18 years of practice experience. Results from the survey indicate that most doctors have experience working with animals in medicine and that doctors overwhelmingly believe there are health benefits to pet ownership.
Nationwide/HABRI Pet-Friendly Workplace Survey
A recent study conducted by Nationwide, in partnership with HABRI, reveals key findings on the benefits of pets in the workplace for workplace wellness. A key summary of the findings can be found in this handout:
- Pet-friendly workplace: Research Summary
- Nationwide report: Groundbreaking study by key industry leaders details novel way to increase engagement and retention in the workplace
Shareable Infographics
HABRI has also compiled a selection of the most important findings into shareable infographics.
- Pet-friendly workplace: Employee Attraction
- Pet-friendly workplace: Employee Engagement
- Pet-friendly workplace: Knowledge of the Human-Animal Bond
- Pet-friendly workplace: Employee Relationships
- Pet-friendly workplace: Employee Retention
- Pet-friendly workplace: Data on pet ownership and exercise
Pet-Inclusive Housing Survey
Michelson Found Animals Foundation and HABRI commissioned a groundbreaking survey of renters and property managers to gain an accurate understanding of the state of pet-friendly rental housing in the United States. The results of the survey show there is a disconnect between the supply and demand for rental housing that is truly pet-friendly, which impacts resident decision making when selecting housing. In fact, pet-friendly rental housing continues to be a barrier for pet owners throughout the United States. Despite a high volume of renters seeking homes that accept pets, they report that pet-friendly options are hard to find.
Michelson Found Animals Foundation and HABRI believe that pets enrich people’s lives and that everyone should have access to the joy of pets.
The Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative was created to field research that demonstrates the benefits of pet-friendly housing to owner/operators, residents, and communities. From this research, we develop resources and partnerships that seek to increase the availability of pet-friendly rental housing.
Review more resources from the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative and see key findings:
- From HABRI.org: Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative
- Press Release: Easing Restrictions on Pets in Rental Housing Could Help 8.75 Million Pets Find Homes Over Time
- Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative Microsite
Cat Allergens Survey
HABRI and Purina Pro Plan partnered to conduct a survey of cat owners to find out how cat allergens impact all aspects of life, both functional and emotional, in allergen-sensitive households. The data reveals how cat owners and their families are impacted by cat allergens and highlights the need for a better way to manage cat allergens.
Results from this survey are featured in full in the following research page:
To help raise awareness of these results, HABRI and Purina Pro Plan released the following infographic highlighting data from the Cat Allergens Survey:
Read more about the announcement of the Cat Allergens Survey:
HABRI Shareable Infographics
HABRI created the following infographics to deliver the message about the healing power of pets in a simple, easy-to-share format. Download and share these today!
- Top 5 Benefits of Cat Ownership
- 5 Ways the Human-Animal Bond is Improving Lives during the Pandemic
- Top Benefits of Pet Ownership for Healthy Hearts
- The Feline Friends Study: Benefit of Pet Cats for Children with Autism
- Published Results from the Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD
- Now is the Time for Pets at Work
- Back to School is Best with Pets
HABRI partnered with Mental Health America to create the following infographic on the mental health benefits of pet ownership:
HABRI has created the following infographic to elucidate the distinction between different classifications of companion animals, namely service animals, emotional support animals, therapy animals, and pets.
HABRI partnered with Royal Canin to bring you trusted information on the importance of the human-cat bond, and ways to ensure you and your cat live healthy, happy lives together.
This infographic, generated following the HABRI-funded study conducted by Dr. Jess Bibbo at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, provides guidelines and advice for geriatric professionals regarding the benefits, challenges, opportunities and concerns of pet owning clients.
Social Isolation, Loneliness and Companion Animals
HABRI and Mars Petcare convened experts in public health, research, psychology, gerontology, and veterinary medicine in Washington, D.C. for the first-ever Summit on Social Isolation and Companion Animals. This Summit explored the role that HAI and pet ownership may play in helping address loneliness and social isolation, with a focus on two distinct populations, older adults and people with mental health challenges.
Factsheets & Information
HABRI has compiled the following handouts summarizing findings from the research consortium:
- Handout on Social Isolation and Loneliness
- Handout on Definitions of Animal Assisted Interventions
- Handout on the Difference between Pet Ownership and AAI
Social Media Toolkit
For shareable social media graphics and more, visit Social Isolation and Companion Animals Summit.
Report
To read the full report by the Consortium on Social Isolation and Companion Animals, please see here:
Older Adults and Animal Programming: A Handbook for Senior Citizens
HABRI and the National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers (NCOA/NISC) collaborated to explore animal programs in senior centers and develop guidelines to ensure the human-animal bond is widely accepted throughout America’s senior centers.
Handbook
This research, along with survey data from NISC senior centers, have been compiled into the following handbook.
The Pet Effect Graphics
A section of HABRI’s website is dedicated to The Pet Effect Content, available here. The Pet Effect features shareable and downloadable infographics, posters, fliers, and videos.
Human Animal Bond Lecture Series
The Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series, sponsored by IDEXX and hosted by HABRI, features expert talks to educate and connect veterinarians and pet owners to the science of the human-animal bond.Each lecture will consist of a live talk with a Q&A session, and will focus on impactful scientific research highlighting the benefits of the human-animal bond for human and animal health and wellness. Watch all previous lectures as on-demand recordings here:
Pet Week on Capitol Hill
Hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Pet Week on Capitol Hill brings the power of pets to Capitol Hill, delivering the message to our elected representatives that pets are important for human health and quality of life.
Pet Week features Members of Congress, industry leaders, the veterinary community, animal welfare advocates and research organizations, coming together to share information about the importance of pet ownership in America and the scientific evidence that shows how policies that strengthen the human-animal bond can improve wellbeing for both people and companion animals.
Watch free educational sessions from Pet Week 2022 online at:
Academic Research
For academic research on the human-animal bond, please visit HABRI Central, the most comprehensive online database for human-animal bond research, with more than 30,000 entries including full-texts of peer-reviewed journal articles, books, white papers, videos, datasets and more.
