A recent survey suggests that 21% of pet owners in general bought their pet for companionship, compared to only 5% who have their pet for security. And 60% of single people in the UK say they buy pets for companionship and of this number 39% say they have replaced their partner with a pet! Yikes! A recent survey suggests that 21% of pet owners in general bought their pet for companionship, compared to only 5% who have their pet for security. And 60% of single people in the UK say they buy pets for companionship and of this number 39% say they have replaced their partner with a pet! Yikes!