The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable international research regarding the link between human demographics and pet ownership. In several international studies, pet ownership was associated with household demographics including: the presence of child...
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doaj-b4100aee6f1a4ceb8f24165cd6ad70972020-11-25T00:18:54ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482011-06-01712810.1186/1746-6148-7-28The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of IrelandMore Simon JMcGrath GuyCollins Daniel MClegg Tracy ADownes Martin J<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable international research regarding the link between human demographics and pet ownership. In several international studies, pet ownership was associated with household demographics including: the presence of children in the household, urban/rural location, level of education and age/family structure. What is lacking across all these studies, however, is an understanding of how these pets are spatially distributed throughout the regions under study. This paper describes the spatial distribution of pet dog and pet cat owning households on the island of Ireland.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2006, there were an estimated 640,620 pet dog owning households and 215,542 pet cat owning households in Ireland. These estimates are derived from logistic regression modelling, based on household composition to determine pet dog ownership and the type of house to determine pet cat ownership. Results are presented using chloropleth maps. There is a higher density of pet dog owning households in the east of Ireland and in the cities than the west of Ireland and rural areas. However, in urban districts there are a lower proportion of households owning pet dogs than in rural districts. There are more households with cats in the urban areas, but the proportion of households with cats is greater in rural areas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The difference in spatial distribution of dog ownership is a reflection of a generally higher density of households in the east of Ireland and in major cities. The higher proportion of ownership in the west is understandable given the higher proportion of farmers and rural dwellings in this area. Spatial representation allows us to visualise the impact of human household distribution on the density of both pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland. This information can be used when analysing risk of disease spread, for market research and for instigating veterinary care.</p> http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/7/28 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
More Simon J McGrath Guy Collins Daniel M Clegg Tracy A Downes Martin J |
spellingShingle |
More Simon J McGrath Guy Collins Daniel M Clegg Tracy A Downes Martin J The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland BMC Veterinary Research |
author_facet |
More Simon J McGrath Guy Collins Daniel M Clegg Tracy A Downes Martin J |
author_sort |
More Simon J |
title |
The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland |
title_short |
The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland |
title_full |
The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland |
title_fullStr |
The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland |
title_full_unstemmed |
The spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland |
title_sort |
spatial distribution of pet dogs and pet cats on the island of ireland |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Veterinary Research |
issn |
1746-6148 |
publishDate |
2011-06-01 |
description |
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is considerable international research regarding the link between human demographics and pet ownership. In several international studies, pet ownership was associated with household demographics including: the presence of children in the household, urban/rural location, level of education and age/family structure. What is lacking across all these studies, however, is an understanding of how these pets are spatially distributed throughout the regions under study. This paper describes the spatial distribution of pet dog and pet cat owning households on the island of Ireland.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2006, there were an estimated 640,620 pet dog owning households and 215,542 pet cat owning households in Ireland. These estimates are derived from logistic regression modelling, based on household composition to determine pet dog ownership and the type of house to determine pet cat ownership. Results are presented using chloropleth maps. There is a higher density of pet dog owning households in the east of Ireland and in the cities than the west of Ireland and rural areas. However, in urban districts there are a lower proportion of households owning pet dogs than in rural districts. There are more households with cats in the urban areas, but the proportion of households with cats is greater in rural areas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The difference in spatial distribution of dog ownership is a reflection of a generally higher density of households in the east of Ireland and in major cities. The higher proportion of ownership in the west is understandable given the higher proportion of farmers and rural dwellings in this area. Spatial representation allows us to visualise the impact of human household distribution on the density of both pet dogs and pet cats on the island of Ireland. This information can be used when analysing risk of disease spread, for market research and for instigating veterinary care.</p> |
url |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/7/28 |
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