Pets

Pets play a powerful emotional role in human's lives. They share dwelling spaces, provide a sense of attachment, and can ease loneliness. Research suggests people who share their [Page 342]lives with pets may live longer. The most common household pets are dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, mice, gerbils, rats, and guinea pigs. About 63 percent of U.S. households and 43 percent of British households have at least one pet. Pet keeping requires financial means and has a significant effect on the economy and the environment. Americans share their lives with more than 75 million dogs and 90 million cats and spend about $500 per year on each. The $41 billion a year Americans spend on their pets is more than the gross domestic product of ...