Pets as Family Members

Another article from Pets Corner

For many people owning a pet is not just a hobby. Today, many pet owners regard their pets as part of the family. In Malaysia, some pet owners go to great lengths in caring for their pets, but then there are still a handful of owners who discard their kittens, abandon puppies and leave them in dump sites to fend for themselves at merely a day old! A few days ago we read in The Star, about the plight of some kittens and how they were saved by a very kind hearted lady. When will people stop abandoning their animals?

Being responsible for our pets by spaying or neutering them is the best way to prevent over breeding or overpopulation of cats and dogs. Every year many companion animals end up in shelters and some of them are euthanised due to sickness and space constraint.

A responsible pet owner is someone who loves his pet unconditionally and does anything and everything necessary to keep his pet happy and healthy. Responsible pet owners provide for the basic needs of their pet (food, water, grooming, medical care, etc). and lavish love and attention on them.

They protect the health, safety and happiness of their pet, as well as that of their neighbors and their community.

Responsible owners train their pets wherever possible and prevent their pets from roaming since pets face many dangers (cars, other animals and disease) and may cause problems such as biting, breeding and destroying property. Responsible pet owners keep their pets inside or control their pets with a fence, a run or a leash at all times. If their pet is ever lost, a permanent identification tattoo, tag or microchip will help them return home quickly and safely. You should also keep a current photo and current record of your dog's age, weight, height and markings. The decision to buy a pet is a big one and the commitment to care for a pet properly is even bigger. Before you buy or adopt a pet you must be 110% ready to honor that commitment and responsibility for your pet's entire life.

The vaccinations and visit to the veterinarian must not be overlooked either. Dogs and cats are susceptible to heart worms, and internal parasites such as intestinal roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. For your information heart worms are carried by mosquitoes, and this disease can be fatal. Your veterinarian will recommend a prevention program for your pet. Don't forget the external parasites too such as fleas and ticks.

A survey carried out in the United States showed that a majority of American households (57% have dogs, cats or both pets in residence, but virtually everyone-more than nine in ten –considers his or her pet a member of the family. Here's some other interesting facts about pet ownership in the U.S.

1. Americans spend about $5 billion on holiday presents for their furry friends.

2. 63% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners surveyed said they give their pets presents at Christmas.

3. 40% of dog owners and 37% of cat owners hang Christmas stockings for their pets.

4. 36% of dog owners give their pets presents on their birthday, as do 20% of cat owners.

5. About one-fourth of dog owners (27%) and cat owners (23%) sign their pet's name on greeting cards or notes.

6. 64% of surveyed pet owners said they include news about their pet, and 36% include a photograph in their holiday cards.

7. About 27% of pet owners claim to have taken their pet to a professional photographer to have a picture taken with family, Santa Claus or the Easter bunny.

8. About one-third (37%) of dog owners and a similar proportion of cat owners (31% have their pet's picture prominently displayed in their homes, and 14 and 10% respectively, display it at their place of work.

9. About 10% of dog and cat owners carry their pet's picture in their wallet or purse.

10. In about 20% of households containing a dog or cat, the owner leaves the TV, radio or stereo on when the animal is left alone, presumably so it won't become lonely.

11. 16% of dog owners and 14% of cat owners claim to have bought a car or home with a pet in mind.

12. In 70% of feline households, cats are allowed to lie on the furniture. In 40% of canine households, dogs are allowed to do so.

13. In 65% of cat-owning households, cats are permitted to sleep at night on some family member's bed vs. 39% of dogs.

14. 45% of pet owners set up a special bed for their pet in the house.

15. In 75% of the nation's dog-owning households, the dog is treated to rides in the family car vs 38% of households with cats.

16. In one-third (34%) of households surveyed, the dog goes along on family vacations, whereas only 11% of respondents take the cat along.

17. 25% of the pet owners surveyed said they blow dry their pet's hair after a bath.

18. When a pet dies, 58% of pet owners bury the pet on their property.

19. Almost half of the pet owners surveyed admit they sometimes talk to their pet. And 80% of those people stated that on those occasions, the animal seemed to respond by means of sounds, facial expressions or body language.

(The above survey was extracted from the American Humane Association.)

It is good that this trend is gradually catching up in Malaysia. However, about 80 % of pet owners still feed their pets table scraps eg. leftovers, bones, and even raw meat! Feeding unbalanced food is detrimental to a pet's health as even pets need vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.

Many pet owners here are still unaware of the health related issues and preventive care programs such as vaccinations and annual check ups for their pets. All those who have acquired a new puppy or kitten should take their pet for an examination to the nearest veterinary clinic to ensure the health and safety of the pet.

We hope people's attitude will change and pets are looked after with as much love and care as possible. After all, for all the love they shower upon us, they certainly deserve much more.

Let us all work towards a more responsible and animal loving society for the benefit of all our feline and canine companions who share our world.

Abah says:

Believe me, animals make better children than real kids hehehehe, only if you understand that they are just animals and lower your expectations on their achievements. Even so, they can be trained like my cute little paws and they will surely make you a happier person.