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A woman carries a dog along a flooded highway after heavy rains in Campana, Argentina, Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Video. Barking up the family tree in Argentina as birth rates fall

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In Buenos Aires, dogs are increasingly treated as full-fledged family members, sometimes even replacing children.

Argentina’s capital now ranks among the top cities in the world for pet ownership, with nearly 80% of homes sharing space with a furry friend. At the same time, the country’s birth rate has dropped by 6.5% in just one year.

Dog birthday parties, once unthinkable, are now common. Venus, a mixed-breed dog, recently celebrated hers with a meat-flavoured cake and a round of applause.

Experts say rising costs and economic uncertainty are pushing more people to form strong emotional bonds with their pets. Some even use the term perrhijo — a mix of “dog” and “child” — to describe them.

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