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• Nearly two out of every five owners sleep with their pets
• Nearly a third take pets on holiday
• And half consider taking them to work

The UK’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers is underlined by a new survey¹ from independent research firm Viewsbank showing the lengths owners will go to ensuring their pets are well looked after and comfortable at all times.

Whether it is bed time, office hours or during a holiday, substantial numbers of owners like to keep their faithful friends nearby, the nationwide study among pet owners found.

Nearly two out of every five (39%) owners sleep in the same room as their pets with around 2% - equivalent to 340,000 – even sleeping in the same bed. A slightly less devoted 20% allow pets to sleep on top of their beds, while 17% allow pets to sleep in the same room.

When they go on holiday 27% of owners take their pets with them – although it is mainly only in the UK. Just 2% of owners will take pets on holiday overseas and in the UK.

And if given the chance more than half would take their pets to work – around 9% of owners believe pets should definitely be allowed at work with 28% saying the decision would depend on the pet and 14% saying they should be allowed only if all work colleagues agree.

Data from the PFMA Pet Population report shows around 13 million UK households – equivalent to 45% of all homes – own pets with a total pet population of 71 million in the country. There are 8.5 million dogs and 8.5 million cats in the UK. A large majority of the UK pet population is made up of fish.

David Black of Viewsbank said: “The UK is known as a nation of animal lovers and the research bears that out. Some dog owners might even be surprised how few people sleep in the same bed with their pets, whereas others will be horrified that there are any do.

“Total ownership of pets is on the decline with the rise of single households but the devotion shown to those pets does not seem to be diminishing at all.”

Just 3% of those questioned said their pet usually sleeps outside the house. After the bedroom the sitting room is the most popular place chosen by 21% marginally ahead of the kitchen which is used by 19% of pets.

Pets did well at Christmas – around 66% of owners bought them presents while another 2% would have done if their pets had behaved well throughout the year.

The study also found 56% of pet owners believe the care of animals should be included in the National Curriculum and taught in schools.

¹ Online survey of 2,023 dog or cat owners conducted by Consumer Intelligence between 4th and 10th October 2013

• One in three men think it's OK to send Valentine's e-cards
• Single men are twice as likely to avoid Valentine's as single women
• Single men are twice as likely to sign their card if they are interested in the girl!

Love is going online this Valentine's Day with one in three men in a relationship happy to send a Valentine's e-Card, a new survey¹ from independent research firm Viewsbank shows.

They might not get the response they are hoping for however. Just 26% of women think it is acceptable to send an e-card on February 14th with three out of four believing the traditional card in the post is the only way to go for showing your feelings.

Valentine's Day might be a major commercial opportunity, with up to £1 billion spent by couples, but the nationwide survey of those in relationships and those who are still looking for love reveals differences in attitudes between men and women when it comes to romance. Surprisingly it's not always men who are the least romantic.

Single men are twice as likely to give Valentine's a miss than the opposite sex. 37% of men are planning to avoid the day entirely compared with just 16% of women.

But those who do take part are keen not to remain anonymous – 30% of single men say they would definitely sign their name in a card if they were interested in someone compared with just 14% of women.

And those who are focused on romance make a real effort – around 9% of men admit to having sent four or more cards on one Valentine's Day. Women are less committed, or perhaps more choosy, with just 4% of them admitting to sending four cards or more at once.

David Black of Viewsbank said: "The internet is changing everything so the impact it has had on Valentine's Day, especially the switch to e-cards, is long overdue. Women's views on receiving them though are another matter.

"But romance is alive and well as the £1 billion spent on cards, presents and meals out demonstrates, as well as the fact that 90% of us admit to having sent at least one card at some point in their life."

Men and women agree that a weekend abroad is the most romantic thing that could be arranged for them – it was the top choice chosen by 31% of both men and women. Unsurprisingly 4% of men believe saucy lingerie is the most romantic thing that could be done for them – presumably worn by their partner. The bad news for those men is that no women in the survey agreed.

Just 4% of people admit to having sent cards to themselves – men are slightly more likely than women to do it. However 10% of women have had cards from their mother compared with just 5% of men.

Men are more likely to lie about Valentine's plans to avoid having to admit to spending it alone with 11% of men telling fibs compared with 8% of women.

¹ Online survey of 2,121 adults conducted by Consumer Intelligence between 28th and 29th January 2014

VIEWSBANK RESEARCH SHOWS. . .  JUST ONE IN SIX WOULD SUPPORT FRACKING NEAR THEIR HOME

• But support rises to 33% if it is elsewhere in the UK and 37% if it is overseas
• Industry needs to prove fracking will cut bills and create jobs, Viewsbank research shows

A nationwide study by Viewsbank shows consumers will need to be persuaded to support the Government’s efforts to boost the shale gas industry by offering a business rates windfall to local council approving projects in their areas. Under the scheme councils would be allowed to keep 100% of business rates collected from shale sites compared with the current 50% and Prime Minister David Cameron has said the Government is “going all out for shale”.

However, the results reveal that just 18% would definitely support fracking near their home – although another 40% would potentially support fracking if they knew more about the process.

Support rises however the further away fracking is from the person’s home – 37% would definitely support fracking in other countries and 33% would definitely back it in other parts of the UK.

Making the case for lower energy and job creation are key to winning support for fracking, the research found. Around 67% of adults would support fracking if it delivered lower bills and 65% would support it if created jobs. Around 65% would back fracking if it was proved to be important for delivering future energy needs.

But the research shows only 39% of consumers believe fracking will cut household energy bills compared with 41% who believe it will cause environmental damage.

Viewsbank’s studies found just 10% of consumers consider themselves well-informed about fracking while 22% have never heard of the process despite the recent protests and media focus. The research shows 50% say they know a bit about fracking while 18% have heard of it but know nothing about it.

David Black of Viewsbank commented: “The fracking debate has been widely aired in the media but it is clear that many people do not consider themselves particularly well-informed. Proponents and opponents can both take positives from the research.

“Many remain undecided but there is a definite undercurrent that people are happy to support fracking just as long as it is not in their backyard.”

The table below shows views for and against fracking – depending on where it happens

The risks of environmental damage are regarded as the main reasons for opposing fracking – 69% say they would be opposed if there was a risk of water contamination while 63% say the risk of earth tremors would convince them to oppose fracking. Around 51% say the noise and inconvenience for locals would make them oppose fracking.

The research shows 32% of consumers believe fracking will cause earth tremors in the UK and 30% believe it will contaminate water supplies.

If you weren’t able to take part in this survey then feel free to comment here. . .   

3% of people will spend Christmas without friends or family

The festive period is about togetherness, spending time with friends and family. However, a new survey from independent research company Viewsbank¹, has found that nearly two million people in the UK will spend December 25^th on their own.

When asked how they would spend Christmas Day, 3% of consumers replied that they would not be spending the day with friends or family and would be on their lonesome. That is the equivalent to 1.9 million people in the UK².

Two-thirds of people will be spending the day with their partner, while half will spend it with children. Just short of half (45%) will see their parents. Just one in 10 will spend the day with friends rather than family.

David Black of Viewsbank said: "Christmas is a fantastic time for people to get together and spread the festive cheer, but you have to keep in mind that not everyone is lucky enough to have someone to spend the day with.

"On the other hand, some of those 1.9 million people may be very happy to spend the day on their own, away from all the stress and strain that often comes with Christmas dinner with the family."

Ends

¹ Online survey of 1,982 adults conducted by Viewsbank between 29^th November and 2^nd December 2013

² Based on World Bank UK population figures of 63 million: http://data.worldbank.org/country/united-kingdom

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