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France 24
France 24
National
Florence VILLEMINOT

La Vie en Paws: Inside France's love affair with pets

France
Cover image: A dog drinks in a fountain during a heat wave, in Lyon, central France, Friday, May 29, 2026. © Laurent Cipriani, AP

This week, we take a deep dive into a love affair that rivals France’s passion for wine, cheese and fashion: the French and their pets. Whether furry, feathered or scaly, the affection runs deep. More than half of French households own at least one pet, adding up to an astonishing 75 million animals across the country – meaning pets actually outnumber people in France! While many owners lavish attention on their animal companions, helping drive a booming pet care industry, there is also a darker side: some pets are abandoned, particularly during the summer months.

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