Official data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture’s pet registration information system has revealed a significant milestone: the number of registered pet dogs and cats has surpassed the count of human newborns in the past year.
According to the data, as of the previous year, Taiwan boasted 94,544 registered pet dogs and 137,652 pet cats, overshadowing the 135,571 newborns recorded during the same period.
The demand for medical care for pets has surged in tandem with this burgeoning pet population. Statistics from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency indicate that as of February 29th, Taiwan was home to 5,773 veterinarians, with 3,993 dedicated to pet care.
In contrast, in 2022, the nation had 3,077 pediatricians. By the end of the previous year, 1,880 physicians had enrolled in the specialist physician program for children under three years old, responsible for the care of 195,552 children across 1,048 medical institutions.
The concentration of veterinary specialists for pets is notably higher in urban centers and cities with a significant presence of tech professionals. Hsinchu City, known for housing the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park, boasts the highest percentage of animal medical specialists.
In the six special municipalities, the percentages are as follows: 84.3 percent in New Taipei City, 78.4 percent in Kaohsiung, 76.7 percent in Taoyuan, 76.4 percent in Taipei, 76.1 percent in Taichung, and 70 percent in Tainan.
The nation currently hosts around 1,800 animal hospitals, with projections indicating a potential increase to 2,000 by the end of the current or upcoming year, as stated by Taipei Veterinary Medical Association chairman Yang Hsiao-po.
Yang highlights a noteworthy contrast in patient-to-veterinarian ratios, citing an average of 575 animals per veterinarian in Taiwan compared to 2,500 in Japan and 4,000 in the US. This surge in demand for pet medical care has also prompted increased investments in medical facilities by animal hospitals.
Yang elaborates on the evolving attitudes toward pet care, noting a shift from viewing pets as mere animals to regarding them as family members deserving of comprehensive medical treatment akin to humans. He emphasizes the necessity for thorough diagnostic procedures, such as blood tests and ultrasounds, for ailments like gastroenteritis.
Beyond personal preferences, Yang underscores the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership, particularly in providing companionship for elderly individuals, facilitating a more fulfilling social life for them.
