Avoidant Attachment Mediates Cultural Differences in Likelihood to Surrender Pets

Across two studies, pet owners residing in Western and Eastern countries completed surveys documenting their experiences with a particular pet and their likelihood of surrendering that pet in the future. In study 1, we targeted dog owners from the USA, Pakistan, and Hong Kong (n = 266). In study 2, we targeted both dog and cat owners from the same countries, as well as the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands (n = 236). Results were largely replicated across samples. Participants from Eastern countries indicated a greater likelihood to surrender their preferred pet compared with participants from Western countries. The Eastern and Western samples differed on several variables, including number of concerns and problem behaviors reported for their pets, belief in animal mind, and attachment styles. However, a single factor - avoidant attachment style - significantly mediated the greater likelihood to surrender a pet across both studies. Those from Eastern cultures were more likely to have anxious and avoidant attachment styles compared with those from Western cultures, and the avoidant attachment style was associated with a greater likelihood to surrender a pet. Future studies should investigate possible reasons for cultural differences in attachment style to pets.