Pet Ownership and Its Influence on Animal Welfare Attitudes and Consumption Intentions Among Chinese University Students.

Simple Summary: This study explores how having pets influences Chinese university students' attitudes and willingness to buy animal welfare certified products. It finds that students from households with pets are more empathetic toward animals and show a greater willingness to support animal welfare certified products, even if it means paying a premium. The research highlights the important role of pet ownership in shaping ethical attitudes toward animals and suggests that this background could be valuable for promoting animal welfare more broadly across society. Additionally, the study emphasizes that policies, businesses, and education should work together to raise awareness about animal welfare and encourage ethical consumption. As global awareness of animal welfare continues to rise, it has become essential to understand the factors that shape individual attitudes and consumption behaviors related to animal welfare. This study empirically investigates how pet ownership influences attitudes towards animal welfare and related consumption intentions among Chinese university students. Findings demonstrate that students from pet-owning households exhibit significantly more favorable attitudes and behaviors concerning animal empathy, awareness of animal welfare, willingness to purchase animal welfare certified products, and the willingness to pay a premium for animal welfare labels. Pet ownership fosters emotional resonance, enhancing empathy and perceptions regarding animal welfare, and influences preferences for animal welfare certified products through simulated consumer choices. By applying propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate endogeneity concerns, this research advances theoretical discussions surrounding animal welfare attitudes and consumption behaviors. Looking ahead, the promotion of animal welfare should involve coordinated efforts across educational institutions, policy frameworks, and market mechanisms to cultivate a broader understanding and adoption of animal welfare principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]