CHAPTER 3

Dogs are called “man’s best friends” and were kept as pets more than any other animal. Currently cats outnumber dogs as pets. WHY?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE PURCHASING A PET: Where should I obtain a pet? How much space do I have for a pet? What kind of pet does my lifestyle allow? How much will the animal cost?

Questions Continued What will the future bring? Does everyone in the family want a pet? Is the animal a fad or status symbol? What am I going to us the animal for?

Where should I obtain a pet? Humane Society Animal Rescue Local Breeder Newspaper Friend Farm Pet shops

How much space do I have for a pet? Caged animal Need to go outside Size of animal Size of house Energy level

What kind of pet does my lifestyle allow? Breed differences Time needed Care Exercise Training

How much will the animal cost? Food $25 - $40 per month for dogs $7 - $16 per month for cats Pet dog for 11 years average cost $14,000 on food

Pet owners should expect to pay: $550 per year for dog $390 per year for cat $244 per year for guinea pig $188 per year for rabbit $130 per year for bird $96 per year for hamster $89 per year for fish

What will the future bring? Afford later in life Moving College Children friendly Life span of animal

Does everyone in the family want a pet? Allergies

Is this a fad or status symbol? Wrinkled up Shar-Pei sold for $10,000 in 1960’s Dalmations with 101 Dalmations movie in 1993 Both had an overflow in shelters after the fads

What am I going to use the animal for? Needed for a purpose Hunting Show Pet Help Rescue Training

Children & Pets Must be 3 years old to be responsible for a pet Teach responsibility Social skills can be learned Feeling wanted Loved Unloved Comforting

Children & Pets Continued Social Skills can be learned Learn body language Learn respect for other living things

Greif & Coping Shock, denial, isolation Anger Guilt, fear Helplesness Depression, sadness, and regret Finally acceptance of the loss

Pets & Pet Therapy Help people overcome illness Heart patients with pet have 6% death rate Heart patients without a pet have 28% death rate

Pets & Pet Therapy Continued Petting an animal can lower blood pressure Improved altertness in elderly AIDS patients did not suffer from depression Dogs can help disabled people

Euthanasia Inducing death quickly and humanely Can be very difficult decision to make

Overpopulation 27 million dogs and cats are born in U.S. every year 10 million are euthanized each year

Steps to stop overpopulation People must be educated about the problem Animal control laws must be passed and existing laws enforced People must recognize the importance of spaying and neutering.

Spaying Removing ovaries and uterus Stops the female from coming into heat & becoming pregnant During procedure female is fully under anestetics and feels no pain

Neutering Removing the testicles Prevents the male from producing sperm and impregnating females. Some pain and discomfort and pain after the procedure.

THE END