National Pet Products Association
Pets as Family
Over the last few decades, the number of people adopting pets and treating them as family members has increased by a great amount. The soaring amounts of spending by the owners on their pets’ grooming and care are a valid proof of this fact.
As the world is moving rapidly towards a more technologically advanced and growing stage, people have felt the need of companionship and getting close to someone more than ever, and domestic animals have proved themselves the most eligible for fulfilling these needs of people. Even though advancements in technology have made this world a global village and have shortened the physical distance between people and nations etc, at the same time it has also contributed to growing emotional distances, known as Emotional or Psychological Gap, between people. So in order to fulfill their psychological needs of getting close and giving & receiving love to someone, more and more people tend to rely on their pets for emotional as well as physical support. Below are given some of the facts that will verify the above mentioned points to some extent:-
> Pet lovers are guardians to nearly 100 million dogs and cats in the United States, and spend about $35 billion on their furry friends each year. (Source: American Pet Product Manufacturers Association)
> While a solid majority of American households (57%) currently have dogs, cats, or both pets in residence, virtually everyone-more than nine in ten-would like to have either or both of these animals as household members. (American Humane Association)
> In 2006, nearly half of pet owners, or 49.7%, considered their pets to be family members. (U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook [2007 Edition])
> The APPMA reported the following breakdown for the areas in which money is spent on pets (2007 figures for the US):
- $16.2 billion for food
- $9.8 billion for supplies and OTC medications
- $10.1 billion for veterinarian care
- $2.1 billion for live animal purchases
- $3.0 billion for other services such as grooming and boarding
Ever wondered why people have suddenly started inclining towards their pets so much for support? The following are some of the reasons that suggest why pets are taking place of human companions and members in the life of an individual:-
> Pets provide a basis of giving and receiving unconditional love
Animals, especially dogs, provide their owners unconditional, unquestioning love and companionship at all ages. They are not concerned with how we look, what we wear, or how we behave with others, unlike most people in our lives who have set their respective standards for loving and caring for us. Pets never judge their owners on the grounds of appearance, personal issues etc. In fact, they don’t judge them at all. They love their owners no matter what is going on in their lives, or how is it going. Man is hungry for love, and he will go wherever he finds it. Therefore, this is one of the biggest reasons for the increasing number of owners bonding with their flurry friends.
> Health benefits of keeping Pets
Health benefits of keeping pets have also been verified by various researches and studies carried out around the world. A recent study found that men with AIDS were less likely to suffer from depression if they owned a pet. According to a recent research, when a group of people who had their pets along with them was given a stressful task to perform, they showed better performance and experienced less stress as compared to those who were accompanied by friends or even spouses!
> Pets encourage physical activity
People who keep pets are proven to be more physically active and fit, as they engage in physical activities such as walks, play-time with their pets, running with them etc. People are more likely to enjoy a walk when they are accompanied by someone, and dogs are a good reason for their owners to regularly take a walk, as they need it regularly themselves. This in turn increases the physical activity of individuals, which helps in maintaining stress levels and keeping various illnesses such as heart problems, cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes etc. at bay.
> Pets provide opportunities to socialize
Keeping pets of any kind is a great way to socialize with neighbors, community members or other people of the society and expand your social network. Taking out your dog for a walk is an effective way to meet with new people and make new friends who share similar interests. This can overall increase your self-esteem and improve your social life also. Having a pet or dog by your side when taking a walk increases the chances of people noticing you and being more aware of your presence. According to Dr. Joanne Righetti: “Pets are social catalysts. They help us initiate conversations, we might not otherwise have had.”
> Pets provide security
Dogs have long been kept by people for their home security. They are more comfortable in living alone or leaving their homes alone for some time if there is a dog to guard it. Also, there will be less dangers and less chances of burglary if a guard dog is present in the house.
Keeping in view the above facts, it could be summed up that people don’t just keep pets for enjoyment or time pass, instead there are numerous benefits that could be derived out of them. Keeping a pet or pets could greatly improve an individual’s quality of life including his health, social life and self-esteem etc. It is a great way of filling a void in a person’s life which may be created due to some other reason, and treating his loneliness as well.
About the Author
Maria Talat
University Student, Lahore, Pakistan
The pooches of the NYC Pet Show
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