A Purrfectly Modern Trend as Thousands of British Pets Join Facebook and Twitter

LONDON, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

It's claimed that more than half of British people now have Facebook profiles. But it would seem that they're not the only ones.

New research has uncovered an explosion in domestic pets with social networking profiles.

A poll of 2,003 Britons by John Lewis Pet Insurance has revealed that, of those who own a cat or dog, 6% have set up a Facebook or Twitter profile for their beloved pet, with some well-known names also getting in on the act.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's dog Beast has his own Facebook profile with more than 106,000 likes, while Elizabeth Hurley's pet parrot Ping Pong (@PingPongHurley) has amassed a very respectable 4,680 followers on Twitter.

More than a sixth (15%) of 25-34 year olds have given their pooch or moggie an online profile. One in 10 (10%) of pet owners in the South East have ensured their furry friends are socially media savvy and active on a social networking site, double that of those in the Midlands and Wales & South West (5%) and 10 times those in Scotland (1%).

John Brady, Head of Commercial, John Lewis Insurance, said: "Pet owners are thinking of their cat or dog as another member of the family, rather than just a pet - and are clearly keen to ensure they enjoy a similar lifestyle. With such an important role within the family unit, owners need to ensure they have good insurance for their loved one."

Other regional stats:

Have a social network profile (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace) updated on his/her behalf (%).

Region:

South East - 10%

Midlands - 5%

North England - 6%

Wales & South West - 5%

Scotland - 1%

About John Lewis Home Insurance

John Lewis Pet Insurance provides protection for cats and dogs. With four levels of cover for vet's fees starting from just £190 a year, you can choose the right amount of cover for your pet. And if they develop an ongoing condition like arthritis, we'll continue to insure your pet for as long as you renew your policy with us.

Find out more about how John Lewis Pet Insurance is with you when it matters.

Customer Services John Lewis Insurance
Email: customerservice@johnlewis-insurance.com
Tel: +44(0)207-592-5236