Companion animal economics : the economic impact of companion animals in the UK : research report

Succinct, highly readable and thought provoking, this important new text is designed to raise awareness of the potential economic impact of companion animals in the UK. It discusses the potential benefits and costs of companion animals to the economy and highlights the need for this matter to be thoroughly researched, given the potential scale of impact that companion animals have, and the potential costs of ignoring this matter. The book includes: - case studies to illustrate the savings to the NHS that might be associated with companion animal ownership; - links to up-to-date tables and content that might form templates for use in other countries; and - highly readable information written by expert authors and key opinion leaders in the field. Inspired by the seminal Council for Science and Society (CSS) Report, Companion Animals in Society (1988), this work updates and extends its evaluation of the economic impact of companion animals on society and lays a benchmark for future development. This pivotal new book is important for policy makers at national and international levels and all those involved in animal welfare Cover 1 Companion Animal Economics: The Economic Impact of Companion Animals in the UK: Research Report 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Foreword 8 Executive Summary 10 1. Introduction 12 2. Methodology 14 Techniques Revisited and Updated 15 Technique for Data-mining Public Information 17 Health Literature 18 General health 19 Physical activity and healthy bodyweight management 19 Cardiovascular health 19 Allergies and asthma 20 Mental health 21 Reliability of Information 22 3. Key Features of the Council for Science and Society (CSS) Report 1988 24 Indicators of the Extent and Economic Significance of the Pet-keeping Phenomenon in 1988 24 Perceived Benefits of ‘Pet Ownership’ in 1988 25 Problems Associated with Pet Ownership in 1988 26 Concluding Statements of the 1988 CSS Report 27 4. Updates on the Economic Impact of Companion Animals to the UK 30 Consideration of the Benefits and Costs of Companion Animals to the UK 31 Animal abandonment 32 Urine 32 Diseases 33 Accidents 33 Companion Animal Population Statistics: Current Estimates 34 Pet Food 36 The ‘Pet Shop’: the Evolution of Allied Industries in the Companion Animal Care Sector 37 Companion Animal-related Services: Shifting Dynamics of Services 39 Companion Animal Health: Parallels with Human Health 39 5. Indirect Costs: Extending the Scope of Economic Value 42 5A HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 42 Recovery from Major Illness 43 Prevention of Ill-health 44 Physical Well-being: Passive versus Active Ownership –Enhanced Physical Exercise 45 Social Well-being: Enhanced Social Contacts/Interactions 48 Mental Well-being: Elevating Mood and Increasing Mental Resilience 48 Fewer Visits to the Doctor 50 Economic Impact: A Preliminary Estimation 52 Possible Contribution to UK Healthcare Expenditure Savings 54 Step 1: UK healthcare expenditure 54 Step 2: Population estimates 54 Step 3: Doctor visits 55 Step 4: Health expenditure savings 56 5B FURTHER VALUE – ANIMAL-ASISTED INTERVENTIONS AND THE WIDER SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INCREASED NEED IN SOCIETY 57 Animal-assisted Interventions 57 Assistance Dogs 58 Classroom Dogs 64 Recognizing the Value of such Programmes 65 Developing a Case for Economic Benefit 66 6. Conclusion: Illustrating the Perceived Economic Impact of Companion Animals 68 Acknowledgement 70 Afterword 72 References 74 Index 86 Back Cover 94 The aim of this report is to raise awareness of the importance of research concerning the economic impact of companion animals on society. This report was inspired by the seminal Council for Science and Society (CSS) report Companion Animals in Society (1988), and updates and extends its evaluation of the value that companion animals bring to society. Data available from the UK are used as examples throughout, but many of the points raised relate to industrialized nations globally. It highlights potential direct and indirect costs and benefits of companion animals to the economy, and the value of exploring these further. There is currently a lack of high quality data for some aspects of this evaluation which needs to be addressed to enable a more confident analysis; however, given the scale of the potential impact (added economic value and savings possible) the matter should not be ignored for this reason. When evaluating the contribution of companion animals to the UK economy both positive and negative aspects should be considered. Employing a conservative version of methods used in the best study of its kind to date examining healthcare savings through reduced number of doctor visits, it is estimated that pet ownership in the UK may reduce use of the National Health Service (NHS) to the value of £2.45 billion/year. The cost of NHS treatment for bites and strikes from dogs is estimated as £3 million/year (i.e. approximately 0.1% of the health savings). It is concluded that research into companion animals that relates to their potential economic impact on society should be supported by government