A poll taken 25 years ago suggested that, on average, the parents of a family unit (the man and woman) generally placed their pets below children, grandparents, extended family and even friends in terms of their importance and priority.
The poll was repeated 5 years ago. The average position of pets was now at the level of, or slightly below children. Pets are now more important than extended family and friends.
In a few cases, parents claimed to prioritise their pets over and above their children.