More than pets: study shows that 50% of cats enter homes through adoption
The relationship between guardians and pets has become increasingly based on foster care and bonding. A new survey showed that 50% of cat owners in Brazil adopted or found their animals on the street, choosing not to spend money when choosing a companion for their home.
Researched by CVA Solutions, the CVA Petcare 2026 Study shows that the emotional bonds between owners and pets have become increasingly stronger.
The research was carried out in March 2026, via the internet, with 4,032 consumers, buyers and owners of dogs and cats who pay for petcare products in Brazil, covering the five regions of the country. The sample includes 2,346 dog owners and 1,686 cat owners.
The survey shows that 30.7% of cat owners say they found the animal on the street or abandoned, while 19.2% say they acquired the pet through a shelter, adoption fair or NGO. Together, these two groups represent 49.9% of the cats surveyed.
In relation to dogs, this number reinforces the trend: 38.0% of owners received animals from friends, relatives or acquaintances; 18.8% came from shelters, adoption fairs or NGOs; 11.6% came from the street or were abandoned.
For Sandro Cimatti, specialist in market diagnosis and consultancy at CVA Solutions, the data reflects a structural change in the relationship between families and pets.
"CVA Solutions has been carrying out studies on the pet market since 2012, alternating studies with pet owners and with veterinarians. During this period, we have noticed an increasing humanization of pets, bringing dogs and cats closer to their owners in emotional and physical terms, causing them to live indoors and, sometimes, in their own room", says the consultant.
Relationship between time at home and expenses
According to Cimatti, each pet's time at home demonstrates an intensification in the relationship between owners and pets: 50.3% of dogs spend most of their time indoors, while in relation to cats this percentage reaches 71.4%.
"This leads to a greater need to spend on hygiene, beauty, medicines, health plans, treats, toys, more palatable foods such as moist foods in sachets", points out the professional.
The study also takes into account monthly pet care costs. An average of R$690 is disbursed for dogs and R$574 for cats, considering items such as food, flea treatments, deworming, vaccines, veterinarian, exams, health plan and, in the case of dogs, bathing and grooming. Food appears as the main monthly expense: R$202 for dogs and R$158 for cats.
What your cat means: feline signs and body language
Source: CNN