A study of the social network and support system among pet owners: The case of Tseung Kwan O pet-friendly environment

Sum Yee Sammi WONG

Research output: ThesisHonours Projects (HP)

Abstract

Pet-friendly environment provides spaces for pet owners to bring their pets roaming safely and building social connections in the community. Pet ownership shows that owning a pet is closely related to the formation of friendships of pet owners and social connections with neighbours. Pet owners are generally easier to create conversations and build up social networks with pet owners as pets are their common topics to chat with each other. Owning a pet gives pet owners opportunities to socialize with pet owners who have different backgrounds and getting social support in the community. Tseung Kwan O pet-friendly environment including pet friendly restaurants, shopping mall and pet garden give pet owners a variety of places to bring their pets outside and meeting neighbours which enhance their social life. In pet-friendly environment, pet owners have their hobbies to walk their dogs or playing with pets. Regarding to pets, pet owners can build up social connections and sense of community belonging by sharing resources among pet owners in Tseung Kwan O. Pet owners have specific styles of communication and friendships. Interviews of a qualitative approach and participant observantions are applied to understand the social life of pet owners in Tseung Kwan O pet-friendly areas and their friendships with pet owners through their pets. In this study, Tseung Kwan O pet-friendly environment are the platforms that examine pet owners’ social connections with each other and what are the possible types of social support that pet owners may receive among pet owners in Tseung Kwan O pet-friendly environments.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationBachelor of Social Sciences (Honours)
Supervisors/Advisors
  • MOK, Ka Tung Francis 莫家棟, Supervisor
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Alt. title: 將軍澳寵物友善環境中寵物主人互相之間的社交網絡
  • Honours Project (HP)
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Community Studies (Two-year Full-time) (Senior Year Entry only)
  • Programme code: A2B101
  • Course code: SSC4302

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