Pet ownership and knowledge of zoonoses in Bambamarca (Cajamarca, Peru)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the ownership of pets and knowledge of zoonoses among residents in the district of Bambamarca – Cajamarca, Peru, in 2022. In total, 394 surveys were carried out, 30.5% in the urban area (Bambamarca city) and 69.5% in the rural area (Llaucán, San Juan de Lacamaca, Chala and El Tuco). Of those surveyed, 54.8% were female, 20.8% had completed secondary school and the average age was 39.9 years. Besides, 58.4 and 35.5% of interviewees claimed to own dogs and cats, respectively. The person: dog ratio was 4:1 and person: cat was 6.7: 1; 45.2% of dog owners raised them as pets and 45% of cat owners raised them as rodent pest controllers; 67.9% of the dogs were males and 50.5% of the cats were females. The rate of sterilized animals was less than 4% in both species. In the case of dogs, 54.1% walked without restriction and 31.7% of cats were classified as “outdoor”; 50.3% of dog owners and 69.5% of cat owners mentioned performing internal deworming, and 45 and 61.5%, respectively, performed external deworming on a regular basis (at least every 3 months). Moreover, 58% of dogs and 12.8% of cats were reported to have been vaccinated against rabies in the last year. Ignorance of the meaning of the term zoonosis reached 95.4% of those surveyed; however, 90.4% said they knew that animals could transmit diseases to people, the most recognized being rabies (69.8%). It is concluded that it is necessary to develop health education campaigns so that pet owners develop responsible ownership and thus avoid negative impacts on public health and animal welfare.