Coimbatore’s municipal corporation is tackling a significant challenge: a 2022 census revealed the city is home to over 1.11 lakh stray dogs. This staggering figure has prompted urgent action under the global ‘Mission Rabies’ initiative.
What Is Mission Rabies?
Mission Rabies, a project by the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies worldwide through mass dog vaccinations, public education, and rabies surveillance. India has been part of this mission since 2013, with Goa leading the way in successful implementation.
“We aim to Cover All Stray Dogs”
City Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran emphasised their commitment:
“We used NGOs to conduct the census across all five municipal zones. With 1.11 lakh stray dogs, it’s a massive task, but we have already started at Race Course two months ago. Our aim is to cover all stray dogs through mass vaccination.”
Hotline for Rabies Reports
The corporation is also setting up a dedicated hotline for residents to report suspected rabies cases in stray or pet dogs. This will enable real-time mapping and quicker responses by dedicated teams.
Door-to-Door Pet Vaccination Next
Following the stray dog vaccination drive, the city plans to roll out door-to-door rabies vaccinations for pet dogs and cats:
“After completing mass vaccination of stray dogs in all five zones, we will vaccinate pet animals at home to fully control rabies,” said the Commissioner.
Expanding Sterilisation Efforts
To control the stray dog population in the long term, the corporation has sterilised 25,000 stray dogs since 2023 at four existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in Ukkadam, Ondipudur, Seeranaickenpalayam, and Vellalore.
“We believe sterilization is key to reducing stray dog numbers. We plan to open three more ABC centers soon,” added Prabakaran.
As the world embraces pets not just as animals but as family members, 2025 has witnessed a striking shift: countries across the globe are experiencing a pet boom, and Japan, in particular, now has more household pets than children.
In a world shaped by urbanisation, ageing populations, and changing family dynamics, the pet population is soaring. Dogs and cats are now not only companions but emotional anchors, wellness partners, and even child substitutes in many homes.
🏆 The Top 10 Pet-Owning Countries in 2025
Rank
Country
Estimated Dogs
Estimated Cats
Total Pet Population
1
United States
69.9 million
74.1 million
144.0 million
2
China
27.4 million
53.1 million
80.5 million
3
Russia
17.6 million
23.3 million
40.9 million
4
Germany
10.6 million
15.2 million
25.8 million
5
United Kingdom
12.7 million
11.9 million
24.6 million
6
Japan
12.0 million
7.3 million
19.3 million
7
Spain
9.3 million
5.9 million
15.2 million
8
Argentina
9.2 million
3.0 million
12.2 million
9
Philippines
11.6 million
–
11.6 million (dogs only)
10
India
10.2 million
–
10.2 million (dogs only)
Note: Some countries lack consolidated data for cats or other small companion animals.
🇯🇵 Japan’s Pet Population Surpasses Its Children
In a historic demographic moment, Japan’s pet population now exceeds its population of children under 15. As of 2025:
🐶🐱 15.9 million pet dogs and cats
👶 13.7 million children under the age of 15
This inversion is a stark reflection of Japan’s ageing society, declining birth rate, and growing emotional reliance on animals for companionship and comfort.
“Pets have evolved from companions to emotional family members. In Japan, they now literally outnumber the next generation.” — Dr. Keiko Yamashita, Demographic Researcher at the University of Tokyo
📊 Why Is Pet Ownership Rising?
1. Declining Birth Rates
Nations such as Japan, Germany, and South Korea are experiencing population decline. With fewer children, pets are increasingly filling emotional and social roles.
2. Urban Living & Nuclear Families
Compact homes, single lifestyles, and busy routines make pets—especially cats and small-breed dogs—ideal companions.
3. Emotional Wellness
From pet therapy to emotional support animals, science and society now recognise the powerful psychological benefits of living with pets.
4. Humanisation of Pets
The “e “fur b” by” phenomenon is real: premium pet food, birthday celebrations, pet spas, and even funerals have become part of mainstream culture.
🐾 What This Means for Society & Business
📉 Societal Shift
Japan’s demographic reversal suggests broader shifts in how societies perceive family, companionship, and ageing.
💼 Booming Pet Economy
Japan and the U.S. are at the forefront of a rapidly growing global economy, valued at over $250 billion. Categories such as insurance, pet wearables, veterinary technology, and pet travel are experiencing rapid growth.
🧪 Demand for Pet Science
Countries like China are launching academic degrees in companion animal care, reflecting both market demand and the emergence of a new professional class in the pet sector.
📣 Final Thoughts
The rise of pet ownership—especially in nations like Japan—tells a deeper story than statistics alone. It’s a tale of emotional adaptation, societal transition, and commercial opportunity.
Japan Now Officially Has More Pets Than Children
Slug: top-10-countries-with-most-pets-2025 Meta Description: Discover the top 10 countries with the highest pet populations in 2025. Japan makes headlines by having more pets than children—what does this mean for society and the pet industry?
Tags: pets, companion animals, pet ownership, Japan demographics, pet industry, global pet trends, dogs, cats, population trends
📈 A Global Surge in Pet Companionship
As the world embraces pets not just as animals but as family members, 2025 has witnessed a striking shift: countries across the globe are experiencing a pet boom—and Japan, in particular, now has more household pets than children.
In a world shaped by urbanization, aging populations, and changing family dynamics, the pet population is soaring. Dogs and cats are now not only companions but emotional anchors, wellness partners, and even child substitutes in many homes.
🏆 The Top 10 Pet-Owning Countries in 2025
Rank
Country
Estimated Dogs
Estimated Cats
Total Pet Population
1
United States
69.9 million
74.1 million
144.0 million
2
China
27.4 million
53.1 million
80.5 million
3
Russia
17.6 million
23.3 million
40.9 million
4
Germany
10.6 million
15.2 million
25.8 million
5
United Kingdom
12.7 million
11.9 million
24.6 million
6
Japan
12.0 million
7.3 million
19.3 million
7
Spain
9.3 million
5.9 million
15.2 million
8
Argentina
9.2 million
3.0 million
12.2 million
9
Philippines
11.6 million
–
11.6 million (dogs only)
10
India
10.2 million
–
10.2 million (dogs only)
Note: Some countries lack consolidated data for cats or other small companion animals.
🇯🇵 Japan’s Pet Population Surpasses Its Children
In a historic demographic moment, Japan’s pet population now exceeds its population of children under 15. As of 2025:
🐶🐱 15.9 million pet dogs and cats
👶 13.7 million children under the age of 15
This inversion is a stark reflection of Japan’s ageing society, declining birth rate, and growing emotional reliance on animals for companionship and comfort.
“Pets have evolved from companions to emotional family members. In Japan, they now literally outnumber the next generation.” — Dr. Keiko Yamashita, Demographic Researcher at the University of Tokyo
📊 Why Is Pet Ownership Rising?
1. Declining Birth Rates
Nations like Japan, Germany, and South Korea are experiencing population shrinkage. With fewer children, pets are increasingly filling emotional and social roles.
2. Urban Living & Nuclear Families
Compact homes, single lifestyles, and busy routines make pets—especially cats and small-breed dogs—ideal companions.
3. Emotional Wellness
From pet therapy to emotional support animals, science and society now recognize the powerful psychological benefits of living with pets.
4. Humanisation of Pets
The “e “fur b” by” phenomenon is real: premium pet food, birthday celebrations, pet spas, and even funerals have become part of mainstream culture.
🐾 What This Means for Society & Business
📉 Societal Shift
Japan’s demographic reversal suggests broader changes in how societies define family, companionship, and aging.
💼 Booming Pet Economy
Japan and the U.S. are at the forefront of a growing pet economy valued globally at over $250 billion. Categories like insurance, pet wearables, vet tech, and pet travel are exploding.
🧪 Demand for Pet Science
Countries like China are launching academic degrees in companion animal care, reflecting both market demand and a new professional class in the pet sector.
📣 Final Thoughts
The rise of pet ownership—especially in nations like Japan—tells a deeper story that statistics alone cannot tell: a tale of emotional adaptation, societal transition, and commercial opportunity.
As countries confront aging populations and redefined family roles, pets are no longer just animals—they are integral to modern life.
China Agricultural University (CAU) has introduced the nation’s first undergraduate degree dedicated to companion animals—a bold move recognising the pet industry’s surging economic and social impact. Rooted in CAU’s College of Animal Science and Technology, this four-year Agricultural Science bachelor’s equips students to tap into a market that’s exceeded RMB 300 billion (~USD 42 billion) in 2024, growing at a steady 11.9% annually over the past decade.
📘 What You’ll Study
Breed Genetics & Variety Development – Developing healthier, genetically sound dogs, cats, and horses.
Nutrition & Metabolism – Tailored dietary strategies for pet health, longevity, and disease prevention.
Feed Processing Technology – From raw materials to kibble: crafting optimal pet food.
Reproductive Physiology – Informed breeding practices and ethical reproductive care.
Class sizes are limited to just 50 students in the inaugural cohort, ensuring attentive mentorship and hands-on training.
🎯 Why It Matters
1. Pet Industry Boom = Career Boom With over half a million pet-related businesses in China, demand is skyrocketing—not just for vets, but for professionals in behaviour counselling, welfare policy, nutrition, and business development.
2. Holistic Skillset for Evolving Roles Graduates are set to lead in diverse settings—animal clinics, research labs, pet nutrition firms, equestrian sports clubs, and even academia.
3. Building on Solid Foundations CAU also offers a companion-animal master’s program in Shandong and a popular minor in pet science, both of which are well-received. Scaling education at the bachelor’s level marks the next leap forward.
🎓 Career Pathways: Where This Degree Could Lead
Field
Role Examples
Animal Clinics
Veterinary technician, practice manager
Nutrition & Food Science
Pet food R&D specialist, nutrition consultant
Research & Academia
Companion-animal physiology researcher
Welfare & Policy
Animal welfare officer, shelter program manager
Breeding & Genetics
Breed evaluator, ethical breeding consultant
Recreation & Sports
Equestrian club manager, therapeutic animal coordinator
Quote Highlights
“Companion animals… bring happiness to people’s lives—this is why this is called the ‘pet major,’” —Liu Guoshi, Vice‑Dean of CAU College of Animal Science and Technology. (Emphasizing the human–animal bond that underpins the program’s focus.)
💡 Industry Context: What’s Driving the Demand?
Urbanisation and Values Shift – As pet ownership grows in urban centres, people want pets better integrated into their lifestyles, requiring more professionals with expertise in behavioural, wellness, and relationship-driven aspects.
Market Professionalisation – Businesses like pet food manufacturers, grooming salons, and veterinary hospitals increasingly seek people with academic backgrounds, not just passion.
Regulatory and Welfare Focus – Stricter animal welfare laws and increased public scrutiny prompt organisations to hire experts in welfare, ethics, and responsible breeding.
🔑 Final Takeaway
CAU’s new companion-animal undergraduate program isn’t just an academic milestone—it’s a strategic alignment of education with a hefty, high-growth industry and evolving societal values. As pets become part of the family, China’s response is a program that treats pet care with rigour, respect, and future-readiness.
