Lisa Milot, an educator specializing in canine welfare legislation at the School of Law, conversed with Newsweek regarding a recent poll uncovering that numerous Americans lack confidence in their neighbors when it comes to their pets.

The poll indicated that around 66% of respondents strongly concurred with the notion that they view their pets as family members. Merely 5% of the 1,000 surveyed individuals expressed that they would trust their pets with their neighbors.

The research indicated that this feeling was shared among pet owners across various age groups.

Milot speculates that this trend exists predominantly due to the increased mobility of individuals nowadays. With remote jobs and adaptable schedules, many people are relocating frequently, often shifting from one city to another. As the possibility of moving grows, so does the likelihood of encountering a new set of neighbors.

The poll also demonstrated that individuals are more inclined to rely on family members for pet care, a trend Milot attributes to the increasing number of adult children residing with their parents.

“Due to rising housing expenses, a significant number of millennials and younger generations are living at home,” she remarked. “Consequently, there is less necessity for an outsider to care for your pet.”

Although only 7% of participants stated they would select a pet sitter, Milot is of the opinion that this choice is preferable to that of neighbors, given that sitters are often presumed to carry insurance and possess a certain level of proficiency.

“Even though pet sitters may offer the same proficiency as neighbors, we perceive them as an upgrade from that,” she noted.

The article Professor discusses lack of trust between neighbors regarding pets was first published on UGA Today.