A study by Go.Compare found that nearly a third (30%) of owners on a lower income don’t feel their animal is safe from theft, a sentiment shared by less than a fifth (17%) of higher-earning owners.
The research found that older and lower-income owners have fewer measures to protect their pets from thefts, with higher earners more likely to have safety features like smart home security, GPS collars and pet cameras.
Around 17% of higher-income owners said they had installed smart home security, compared to only 8% of those on a lower income. Higher earners are also twice as likely to have pet GPS trackers – 14% of these owners said they have invested in these, compared to 7% of lower-income owners.
Go.Compare said this suggests that lower earners could be finding it harder to protect their pets because of their financial situation.
As a result of these fears, lower-income dog owners are less likely to let their pet off its lead, implying they feel more vulnerable doing so. Almost half (45%) of these owners said they keep their dog on its leash to protect it from theft, a move made by less than a third (29%) of higher earners.
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Older pet owners also feel more at risk of these thefts. Around a quarter (26%) of over-54s stated that they don’t feel their pets are safe from thieves, compared to just under a fifth (17%) of under-35s. Older owners are also less likely to have invested in safety measures like smart home devices, GPS tracking and pet cameras, according to the survey.
Measures to protect pets
Go.Compare found that one of the most common steps owners take to prevent theft is refraining from posting their pet on social media, something a fifth (21%) of all owners do. A similar number (18%) have fitted a higher fence in their garden to reduce the chances of their pet escaping, and 16% have invested in smart home security.
To help protect pets, Go.Compare is offering a free Ring Indoor Camera to customers who buy selected pet insurance policies. To qualify for the offer, owners need to purchase a cat or dog Lifetime, Max Benefit or Time Limited insurance policy from Animal Friends via Go.Compare between 4 March 2025 and 30 April 2025.
Rhys Jones, pet insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Pet owners shouldn’t feel more vulnerable to theft just because of their financial situation, so we’ve partnered with Animal Friends to offer a free Ring Indoor Camera for those who buy selected policies. These can be really helpful for keeping an eye on your pets and, alongside other measures, reduce the risk of theft.
“Things like changing up your walking route and refraining from posting your pet on social media can stop you from becoming a target. Thieves are also less likely to steal cats that are spayed or neutered, as it means they can’t make money from breeding them, so try to include this information on an ID tag if your cat has had this procedure. Keeping your dog on a lead and accompanied in public will also help.
“If you’re unfortunate enough to have your pet stolen, report it to the police straight away. Make a note of your crime reference number, as around 87% of pet insurance policies cover theft and they might ask for this if you want to make a claim.
“If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip database to see if they can help. Finally, you can also inform your local council and spread the word on noticeboards at vets, parks and online to improve your chances of getting your pet back.”
