Pet Ownership

Why do people have pets? Provide companionship Offer nonjudgemental acceptance and love no matter what age of the person

Why do people give away their pets? Don’t fit into their lifestyle Lost their cuteness Cost too much Too much time needed

What are the 9 questions to ask before getting a pet?

1.Where should I obtain a pet? Pet shops Convient location Get pets and products there Little knowledge of how animal was raised Little knowledge of pedigree (ancestory)

Breeders Animal Shelters Based on reputation Can be pricey Can observe parents Animal Shelters Save an animal’s life Little charge Must get animal spayed or neutered No background info on animal

Friends and Neighbors Easiest and cheapest way Unknown father common Not able to observe parents Traits unknown

2.How much space do I have for a Pet? Larger animals need more space Apartments good for small animals Restrictions on some apartments/houses

3.What kind of animal does my lifestyle allow? Animals require different amounts of space, time and care Grooming, play, training all need to be considered

4.How much will the animal cost? All costs besides purchase price Food, vet bills, medicine, toys, insurance, etc. Average of keeping a dog for 11 years is $14,000!!

5.What will the future bring? Will it still be cute when it is older? Will children still take care of it? Will my schedule change?

6.Does everyone in the family want a pet? Everyone should agree to help with it Gifts of animals are bad! Allergies can limit pets in households

7.What kind of personality do I have? Animals have personalities too—you should find an animal to match your personality Lazy vs. active?

8.Is the animal a fad or status symbol? Fads are only popular for a certain period of time Status symbol is based on the perceived value and use of the animal Rottweilers and Pit bulls are status symbols because people see them as fighting or mean dogs. It makes them feel “tough” for having this type of dog.

9.What am I going to use the animal for? With dogs: Hunting? Show? Breeding? Other animals: Breeding? Show?

What do children learn from pets? Responsibility Social skills Respect and compassion Grief and coping with loss

Pets and Pet Therapy Pets help people get over illnesses and surgery by: Lowering blood pressure Conquer loneliness Lower number of doctor visits for elderly Lower cholesterol Offer exercise (some animals)

Euthanasia To induce the death of an animal quickly and painlessly through a series of shots One to paralyze the animal One to stop the heart The animal dies humanly

Overpopulation Approximately 27 million dogs and cats are born each year in the U.S. 10 million are euthanized each year in the U.S. Results of natural mating, breeding, and commercial purposes

How to prevent overpopulation (3 reasons) People must be educated about the problem Animal control laws must be passed and enforced People must recognize the importance of spaying and neutering

Animal control laws Licensing of animals Leash laws Fence laws Cruelty laws

Spay vs. Neuter Spay: removing a female’s reproductive organs surgically Neuter: removing a male's reproductive organs surgically