Ownership of indoor fish tanks and outdoor ponds has leaped up by around 50% during the pandemic, new figures show.
Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) Pet Population data reveals that there are now 8 million indoor tanks in the UK, while 6.5 million households have outdoor ponds. This compares to the 5 million fish tanks and 4 million garden ponds reported in the 2021 version of the survey.
The figures tally with industry testimony, which describes high levels of interest in setting up new indoor tanks and digging garden ponds as a response to more time in lockdown to spend on home-based hobbies.
OATA Chief Executive Dominic Whitmee said: “Sadly, PFMA’s report also reveals that pet relinquishment is on the rise as people return to the office or change their living arrangements. However, these are not issues that tend to affect people who keep pet fish and illustrates the need to ensure a wide variety of pet species are available for people to enjoy.
“The key is for people to pick the right pet for their lifestyle and care for it properly. Dogs, cats and small furries undoubtedly make great pets but they are not always the right pet for everyone. Other pets, like fish, might make better pets for some people with busy lifestyles.”
