FOI REF: FOI-2024-1853
You asked
Would it be possible to know how many people have dog care owner as an occupation in the UK?
We said
Thank you for your query regarding dog care owners in the UK.
The ONS collects information on people’s occupation through the Annual Population Survey (APS), a survey based on interviews with people resident in households in the UK. Occupations on the APS are classified in line with the Standard Occupation Classification 2020 (SOC2020).
Under SOC2020 many dog care services would be classified to occupation code 6129 Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified. Job holders in this group care for animals held in kennels, stables, zoos and similar establishments, provide specialised training, grooming, clipping and trimming services of animals, searches for and captures stray or nuisance animals in public areas, or perform a variety of animal care tasks not elsewhere classified.
However, also under SOC2020 owners of such businesses may be classified to occupation code 1212 Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing and related services. Job holders in this group plan, organise and co-ordinate the activities and resources of forestry, fishing, animal husbandry and related operations and establishments.
Both classifications will have much broader range of occupation than just those involved in dog care.
Each quarter we publish a detailed breakdown of estimated numbers employed in each occupation on our Nomis website – Annual Population Survey - Employment by occupation by sex.