Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day… puppy love, that is! 3.4 million Australians will give their pet a gift this February 14, spending a staggering $46.9m.

A new survey by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) finds that more than 1 in 3 pet owners are planning on giving their beloved pet a gift this Valentine’s Day.

Of these, dog owners will spend the most on their canine companions, shelling out $23.3m (an average of $6.82 per dog), while cat owners will spend $7.9m (an average of $4.11 per cat) nationwide.

The survey found that although Australians are more likely to own a dog (39% of pet owners) or a cat (28% of pet owners), bird owners are more likely to give a gift on February 14.

WSPA Australia Head of Communications, Rafi Cooper, says “It’s wonderful to see how much Australians care for their pets. We truly are a nation that has a deep love of animals. However, while some Aussie pets will be lucky enough to receive a gift on Valentine’s Day, there are animals around the world that aren’t as fortunate. That’s why this Valentine’s Day I’ll be giving a gift from WSPA’s Really Wild Gifts online store”.

WSPA’s gift-giving website, Really Wild Gifts, is the gift site by animal lovers, for animal lovers. Really Wild Gifts supports WSPA’s work with a variety of animals:

• $10 will help overworked donkeys in Palestine
• Buy a ‘disaster pack’ for $20 to help treat injured animals
• For $99 you can feed a bear in a sanctuary for two months

Each gift supports WSPA’s programs working to help the animal of choice and comes with a beautiful card that can be emailed, sent by post or printed straight away.

Really Wild Gifts can be purchased online at www.reallywildgifts.org.au or by calling WSPA Australia on 1300 139 772.

Other results:

• Almost two thirds (63%) of Australians own a pet.
• The average Australian owns 1.9 pets.
• Those aged 18-24 are likely to own more pets (average of 2.8 pets).
• Of all pet owners, women (42%) are more likely to own a dog than men (36%).
• Out of 3.4 million Australians who will give a gift to their pet, 2.4 million will purchase a gift.
• 33% of pet owners will give a gift to their pet, while 23% of pet owners will purchase a gift.
• 40% of bird owners will give a gift, followed by 36% of dog owners; 34% of cat owners; 28% of fish owners; and 43% of ‘Other’ pet owners.
• Male cat owners are plenning to spend more per cat ($6.40) than female cat owners ($2.05).
• Total spend nationwide this Valentine’s Day:
  • Dogs – $23.3m
  • Fish – $8.8m
  • Cats – $7.9m
  • Birds – $4.8m
  • Other – $2.0m