That's not the best conclusion. How many families are pet owners? It's not a hard requirement and it doesn't make sense for it to be a hard requirement.
No one is saying it's a hard requirement. It's a recommendation to understand how difficult raising a creature that depends upon you for everything is.
66% in the US. I don't think anyone was suggesting it was a hard requirement. The idea was if you're unsure about having a kid try raising a puppy first. I don't necessarily agree but it probably would train you.