For one reason or another, more and more young people in Taiwan have been choosing not to have children in recent decades. According to the US-based nongovernmental organization Population Reference Bureau, Taiwan had the lowest total fertility rate—the estimated number of children that a woman will have in her lifetime—in the world in 2013.
Lately, it seems that many young couples in Taiwan are opting for the far less costly option of caring for a pet rather than a baby. Statistics from the Council of Agriculture (COA) show that the number of pet dogs and cats in the nation increased from around 1.6 million in 2003 to approximately 2.3 million in 2013.
Today, many young pet owners in Taiwan lavish their animal companions with care and attention. This has led to a massive boom in the country’s pet industry, with the COA estimating that the market for pet-related products and services is currently worth approximately NT$20 billion (US$656 million).
This also means that the “responsibilities” of pet cats and dogs have changed. Whereas in the past they were expected to catch mice or protect the house, now their primary role is to provide their owners with love and companionship. Indeed, to a great many people in Taiwan, dogs and cats are not simply pets, but family members.
Write to Jim Hwang at cyhuang03@mofa.gov.tw
“What are you looking at?!”
“Is that Cat Psychology you’re reading?”
“Guess she’s still too young to tell a cat from a pillow.”
“Time for a ride.”
“My turn! My turn!”
“Rain or no rain, I do love a nice evening stroll.”