1. Pet Ownership

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

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

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

5. 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)

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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!!

11. 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?

12. 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

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

14. 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.

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

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

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

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