Why Pet Companies Consider Their Pets Their Children

Man’s best friend: you would think that that title would conjure up images of humans, or even our closest cousins in the animal kingdom, such as monkeys, apes, and chimpanzees. However, the first image that enters most humans head is the same image that would have induced fear hundreds of years ago, the not so distant heir to the wolf: dogs. The same creatures that we feuded with for survival now take up a huge part of our lives and make up a large portion of the images littering the internet. Dogs take part in everything from movies to family gatherings, to search and rescue and emotional or physical service. Nearly fifty percent of American households alone have at least one dog, and between all of us we own 83.3 million dogs, a number not to be trifled with. The place our four-legged canine companions claim is undisputed and easily backed up.

Dogs play a major role in child development. There are many educational benefits to having a pet during childhood.

Say “animal” to any American, and there is a decent chance that the first image brought to mind will be a cat or a dog. Domesticated animals such as these permeate American culture, from the Puppy Bowl to the ongoing dog vs cat debate on Facebook posts and Internet forums. But although pets seem to be everywhere, millions of them every year slip through the cracks, winding up on the streets or vying for limited space in an animal shelter. This overpopulation makes animal homelessness in America a problem that needs to be addressed.

As we grow up in life, we often wonder what it would be like to have a pet. Some parents will go out to the far limits to get that one of a kind dog. Others will just tell their children that having an animal takes responsibility. Whether it is one or the other, we still have that thought in our head. In this paper, I want to look at one place where a child or parents can get that chance to make that dream of having a pet at home a reality. I welcome you to the humane society of San Diego. I often said to myself, this is where are the stray animals go. Not true, when you take a look some maybe stray but others come from a home that just plain got tired of them. Let me show you the journey of what the humane society of San Diego can do when it comes to looking at that pet to come home with you.

The effects of pet ownership have been shown to be beneficial for humans as well as animals in need of a home. People purchase pets for a variety of reasons, spanning from a need to get more exercise, a desire for companionship, to a desire for unconditional love. Other people simply just love animals and their lives feel complete without a furry friend. However, not all of the causes of pet ownership are positive. Some people purchase a pet because they think the animal looks cute but abandon the pet after they discover the hard work it requires to train it and keep it healthy. Other people do so out of ego, such as purchasing a large, vicious pet they hope will intimidate others and later find they cannot control. The motivational causes of owning a pet will determine the eventual effects of ownership.

Some of us have animals as pets, for competitions, for our jobs, and some to survive. Much like tasking asked of humans in day to day life. Those of us who have pets, see them as a part of the family, making us believe they are no different than a child we gave birth to. When we bring home our new born children, we love them, nurture them, and teach them as they grow to be adults. What happens to most families when they bring home their sweet little puppies, kittens, or other baby animal of our choosing? I would imagine that the goal is to raise them to adapt to their new family. This is no different than that of a small child.

June 15, 2016, I had finally understood the importance that dogs had on humans. Walking into Rescue Village on that beautiful Summer day, my heart was racing because I knew it was the day I could adopt my first rescue dog. This day made my life completely different from that point forward. I chose to adopt a dog and to care for her and I was now not only responsible for myself but for a helpless dog. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, I am not the only one who chose to take on the responsibility of a dog, “Sixty-two percent of all U.S. households – more than 72.9 million total – include one more companion animals” (Companion Animal). A companion animal is defined as, “… our best friends, confidents, and help make the family complete”

However, they are wrong. Owning a pet is extremely rewarding but it is also a huge commitment and can last many years. Pet ownership can be costly as well. “While the puppy mill industry churns out millions of puppies a year, millions of puppies and adult dogs are euthanized in shelters across the country after being let loose on the streets or abandoned to the system by their owners” (Kenny). Until this issue is resolved thousands upon thousand of animals are suffering. With the simple solution given in this essay, you can help make a difference. Educate yourself along with others around you and inform them about the vast solutions to this horrendous and sad problem. So many things can be done to prevent the overpopulation of common household pets. Simply being aware of the problem of over pet population and using good judgment before opening your family home to a pet can help. Informing the mass population of people about the increasing problem and educating them about the unspoken truth of the “pet store” and “puppy mill” breeders will do wonders. Responsible ownership is key and starts with knowledge and understanding what it means to be responsible for the long term health and well being of your pet. As mentioned, a pet is a commitment, but it

I believe many of us had expected to have a pet when we were a little child. Maybe a dog, a cat or even a fish, we tried to convince our parents by promising to take care of our pets, clean their rooms, be responsible, not fight with each other anymore. However, due to some reasons, maybe our bad habits, parents can’t believe we will change, just for getting a pet. Some of the parents might think our interests in pets will only stay a while, but that’s not true.

One of the most amazing things in the United States is the love of Americans towards dogs. According to the 2015-2016 APPA Survey, there were 54.5 million households that own at least one dog, and the estimated number of pet dogs was 77.8 million. Of all pet owners, 66.7% consider their dog to be a family member; whereas, the rest consider their dog to be their pet or companion. Raising a dog seems to be an easy task, but is it indeed? Although humans love their dogs, many end up relinquishing them because they develop various behavior issues. According to the ASPCA, every year approximatively three million dogs enter into the animal shelters across the United States, and about half of them are surrendered by their own owners, of which 65%

Finally, I feel like this topic should be discussion more because human does not consider animal as human. Some pet owner will take good care of them for a couple's year and start to treat they like they are nothing. I feel like this should be discussion more in society and this research will draw closer to

Many pet owners perceive to say that having a pet is the best thing in the whole world. In the United States, about 63% of households have a furry friend to call their own. They come in many different colors and sizes that make them unique and fun to play with. However, owning a pet anywhere can be very controversial. Some people think that owning a pet can throw away most their money that they earn on a day to day basis. Even if that might be true, pets can also benefit people in many ways that is worth spending a little extra money. In my opinion, I think that everyone should have a pet of their own because they can improve health, can provide entertainment, and create a special friendship or companionship with its owner. (6)

People have pets for various reasons, whether given as a present or perhaps the children are interested in having their first pets; or you were unable to have a pet as a child but are in more suitable circumstances or simply because you and they share a love for animals, the notion to need and want a pet is deep-rooted in our psyche. This is perhaps not surprising considering pets act

“I think I could turn and live with the animals. They are so placid and self-contained,'; writes American poet Walt Whitman (Schellenberg 1). Yes, pets have been part of human culture throughout history, and in American households, they are more common than children. It is reported that 58% of U.S. households have at least one pet, whereas only 35% have children (Whitaker; Witherell 76). Owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet food, accessories, and veterinary care, but apparently pets give back, too (Schellenberg 1). Medical studies show that pet companionship offers concrete health benefits (Simross 14). While only in the past few decades have scientists become interested in the benefits of pets on human health

Pets can fill a void in an owner’s life, by allowing them to nurture something and receive a sense of satisfaction. Socially pets have become so much a part of our daily lives that they are often treated as if they were children, some lucky pets even attend daily play sessions, and are treated to extreme indulgence; all to make their owner feel as if they were an infant or a child. Blind owners rely on their seeing eye dogs to guide them around wherever they go; they are trained to guide them past and around obstacles. The National Institute of Health states, “More than half of all U.S. households have a companion animal. Pets are more common in households with children, yet there are more pets than children in American households. There are more than 51 million dogs, 56 million cats, 45 million birds, 75 million small mammals and reptiles, and uncounted millions of aquarium fish” (np). Many movie stars and rich and famous people have begun using pets as a status symbol. Millions of dollars are spent finding the perfect and most valuable pet even to the extent that the original breed of animal has become unrecognizable or even extinct. This need for high status and perfection has resulted in safety risks to both pets and the people they live with. Inbreeding and tampering with cross genes in animals often result in an animal of inferior security and emotional stability, thus resulting in an aggressive and violent temperament. In an attempt to