Brisbane officials have renewed the call for household pets to be included in the national census, arguing that better data would help improve local facilities and programs — with suburbs like Bracken Ridge showing how deeply pets are woven into city life.
Brisbane’s Call for National Pet Data
BCC has proposed that the federal government include all household pets in Australia’s five-yearly census. The council raised this motion at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) annual conference in October, where it was supported by other local councils.
The proposal aimed to create a national picture of pet ownership to guide the planning of parks, facilities, and animal services. BCC representatives said that collecting consistent data across states and territories would help local governments deliver more targeted initiatives for responsible ownership.
ABS Declines Census Inclusion
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirmed that pets would not be included in the 2026 census. The agency stated it had already concluded its review of potential new topics, assessing over 1,000 submissions nationwide.
The ABS said pet ownership was considered a lower public priority than other topics being introduced, such as gender and sexual orientation. Officials also cited the additional burden on households and the costs of developing and processing new questions as reasons for exclusion.
Purpose Behind the Proposal
BCC’s submission argued that national pet data would allow governments to better understand ownership patterns, health implications, and animal welfare needs. It pointed out that the city already holds detailed registration records for dogs, with more than 106,000 animals on its books.
Census data, BCC noted, would extend beyond dog registration to include cats, birds, guinea pigs, chickens, and other domestic pets. This, it said, would strengthen education and health campaigns, improve planning for public spaces, and assist in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Community Reaction
Residents expressed a range of views about the idea. Some supported the move, saying a pet census could improve planning for walking paths and parks, while others raised concerns about additional fees and over-regulation. Online comments reflected a mix of enthusiasm and scepticism, with some noting that registration systems already provide local data on dogs.
Bracken Ridge Leads Dog Registrations
According to BCC data, Bracken Ridge recorded more than 2,100 registered dogs in the past year — the highest figure of any suburb in the city. It was followed by The Gap with 1,971 registrations and Forest Lake with 1,877.
Across Brisbane, Labradors remain the most popular breed, with more than 9,000 registered. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Border Collies follow closely, alongside Maltese and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Charlie tops the list of common dog names, followed by Bella, Coco, Luna, and Daisy.
Next Steps
The ABS confirmed that the 2026 census will introduce one new topic and adjust questions in ten existing areas, with the final questionnaire expected to be released later this year. While pets will not be counted this time, BCC maintains that collecting national pet data remains a long-term goal to improve planning and support for communities such as Bracken Ridge.
Published 6-Nov-2025
Photo Credit: Pexels
