Have you ever wondered why playgrounds are so empty and dog runs are packed—a new report has the answer. More and more American women are foregoing motherhood and getting their maternal gratification by owning a small dog.

The business news site Quartz reported that data from the Centers for Disease Control shows that a big drop in the number of babies born to women ages 15 to 29 corresponds with a huge increase in the number of small dogs owned by young American women.

The report also says that women are not only having fewer children but are also getting married later. There are more single and unmarried women in their late 20’s and 30’s, which also happens to be the demographic that buys the most small dogs.

Many women would happily give up the sometimes unrewarding results of having children for a loving dog. A dog gives you unconditional love, something you don’t always get from children. It’s also less work and costs a lot less in the long run.