How many people own pets?

According to a 2012 survey by the Humane Society of the United States, nearly 164 million people in the United States own pets. This means that approximately 62 percent of all households are home to at least one pet.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has similar, but slightly different, numbers. It reports that 36.5 percent of American households have a dog, while 30.4 percent own cats. Interestingly, while the average dog owner only owns 1.6 dogs, houses that are home to cats usually host 2.1 cats. Ferrets, fish and rabbits are the most popular pets besides cats, dogs, birds and horses.