Why we're seeing the rise of pet parents across Australian suburbs

Sunday, 26 April 2026 12:01

Traditional family structures are being challenged.

Many Australians are rethinking traditional family life due to rising costs, changes in rental laws, and a desire for independence.

And that is resulting in the number of dogs per household overtaking the number of kids in a cluster of suburbs, new research shows.

For pet parents, factoring animals into daily plans is nothing new.

But local government data and business trends indicate that caring for pets now occupies a greater share of their owners' lives.

If you want a sense of just how much things have changed, look no further than Sydney's Inner West – where the average household now boasts more dogs than children.

Close to 50,000 dogs are microchipped across the local government area, up from about 43,200 in 2023 following a pandemic-era lift.

Marrickville leads with around 4300, followed by Leichhardt and Balmain.

To keep pace with surging demand, Marrickville daycare centre Kip Happy Stays has rolled out additional services.

One of their trainers, Mandi Wright, said this is driven by a growing number of residents treating dogs "as part of the family."

"While we've traditionally offered boarding at our larger facilities in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley, this expansion makes it much easier for Inner West pet owners to access high-quality care locally."

Demand for off-leash space is also high – Inner West Council maintains 44 such areas, among the most in Sydney, with more in the pipeline.

To support the growing pet population, a council spokesperson revealed that a dedicated team has been introduced to handle requests for microchipping, registrations, complaints, and park patrols.

Meanwhile, changes to rental laws have lowered barriers to pet ownership for many – a pattern of note in the Inner West, where over 40 per cent of residents rent.

The pet parent conversation is not confined to a single neighbourhood.

In Peakhurst, 62-year-old Rosie finds her days filled with "unconditional affection" from her kelpie, Roxy, rather than children.

"Having a pet allows me to nurture and care for another being while still maintaining independence in my personal, career, and lifestyle choices. It felt like the right balance for where I am in life."

While having a pet isn't cheap, Rosie noted that the costs are often more predictable than those of raising children.

Still, this doesn't mean that one subset of parents is financially better off.

One Inner West local spends close to $10,000 a year on daycare alone to work full-time at her office job.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, adopted her French bulldog, Trunks, during the pandemic.

She told nine.com.au that, remarkably, it’s often parents themselves who are the most supportive of her decision to be kid-free.

"Overall, I do believe attitudes are becoming more accepting of having pets instead of children," she said.

How we can best look after our pets without breaking the bank

Trunks' mum said that although day-to-day costs affect everyone, she sees them as just one part of a broader equation when deciding whether to have kids.

"I think more people would have children if homes weren't 10 times their salary, if childcare were completely free or more heavily subsidised, and if there was easy, uncapped and free access to specialised services pre and post birth."

Ultimately, deciding who makes up your family (child or canine) comes down to the individual, Rosie believes.

"There's no one-size-fits-all answer – both paths come with rewards and trade-offs. What matters most is choosing a lifestyle that aligns with your priorities, values, and vision for your future."

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