2 min

International Pet Day 2026

At Okarno, we love animals and wildlife of all varieties; whether they're wild and living alongside us in our site's Biodiversity Area, or we've adopted our little domesticated pets to live in our homes and bring us our daily dose of joy.
 

But it seems that it's not just us at Okarno that are mad about pets, the UK is mad for our little friends. Here are a few fun facts you might not know about the UK's pet obsession:

  • Around 62% of UK households own a pet

UK pet food estimates that nearly two thirds of UK households own one of the country's 36.5 million pets, based on an annual survey of almost 9,000 households (2026 data). [ukpetfood.org] 

  • Dogs are the UK's most popular pet

There are approximately 15.5 million dogs in the UK, with 41% of households owning at least one. [ukpetfood.org]

  • Pets actively support mental health

In a UK survey:

  • 87% of dog owners 

  • 82% of cat owners

said their pets made them mentally healthier.

This data comes from the RSPCA, one of the UK's leading animal welfare charities. [rspca.org.uk]

 

  • Pets help reduce loneliness and stress

The UK Mental Health Foundation highlights pets' role in:

  • Reducing anxiety

  • Encouraging routine

  • Providing companionship, especially for people living alone

[mentalhealth.org.uk]

 

With benefits like these, it's no wonder we're so besotted with our little companions - they give us so much more than just cute photos and wagging tails.

This International Pet Day, the team at Okarno have been sharing their pet piccies and celebrating the furry friends who brighten our lives every day. Click here to see our lovely pet pals.

 

And to further show our appreciation for the incredible impact animals have, we've recently chosen our new Okarno charitable partner: Guide Dogs. This remarkable organisation is dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with sight loss across the UK.

To read more about our charitable partnership with Guide Dogs, click here.