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This is a general article about pets. The question about legal status is subject of animal rights.
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The keeping of animals as pets can raise concerns in regard to [[animal welfare]]. Dr Jenia Meng, the [[Nonhuman Rights Project]], [[In Defense of Animals]], and [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] have raised concerns over [[animal rights]] and autonomy of animals.<ref name="NhRP About">{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.nonhumanrightsproject.org/about-us-2/|work=Organization Website|publisher=Nonhuman Rights Project|accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.idausa.org|work=IDA Website|publisher=In Defense of Animals|accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.peta.org/about/why-peta/pets.aspx Animal Rights Uncompromised: 'Pets']", [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]]. Retrieved September 21, 2012.</ref><ref>Meng, Jenia. Origins of attitudes towards animals 2009. Ultravisum, Brisbane. ISBN 9780980842517</ref>
The keeping of animals as pets can raise concerns in regard to [[animal welfare]]. Dr Jenia Meng, the [[Nonhuman Rights Project]], [[In Defense of Animals]], and [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] have raised concerns over [[animal rights]] and autonomy of animals.<ref name="NhRP About">{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.nonhumanrightsproject.org/about-us-2/|work=Organization Website|publisher=Nonhuman Rights Project|accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.idausa.org|work=IDA Website|publisher=In Defense of Animals|accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.peta.org/about/why-peta/pets.aspx Animal Rights Uncompromised: 'Pets']", [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]]. Retrieved September 21, 2012.</ref><ref>Meng, Jenia. Origins of attitudes towards animals 2009. Ultravisum, Brisbane. ISBN 9780980842517</ref>


==Legal Status==
Pets have commonly been considered [[property|private property]], [[ownership|owned]] by [[Personhood|individual persons]]. However, many [[Animal protectionism|legal protections]] have existed (historically and today) with the intention of safeguarding [[animal welfare|pets' (and other animals') well-being]].<ref name="Garner 2010">Garner, Robert. "A Defense of a Broad Animal Protectionism," in Francione and Garner 2010, pp. 120–121.</ref><ref name="Francione 1996">{{cite book|last=Francione|first=Gary Lawrence|authorlink=Gary L. Francione|year=1996|title=Rain without thunder: the ideology of the animal rights movement|url=http://books.google.com/?id=HZTpej7dGGEC&pg=PP13&dq=animal+welfare+animal+rights#v=onepage&q=animal%20welfare%20animal%20rights&f=false|isbn=978-1-56639-461-1}}</ref><ref name - Francione 1995>Francione, Gary. ''Animals, Property, and the Law''. Temple University Press, 1995.</ref><ref name="Garner 2005">Garner 2005, p. 15; also see [[Peter Singer|Singer, Peter]]. ''Animal Liberation'', Random House, 1975; [[Tom Regan|Regan, Tom]]. ''The Case for Animal Rights'', University of California Press, 1983; [[Gary Francione|Francione, Gary]]. ''Animals, Property, and the Law''. Temple University Press, 1995; this paperback edition 2007.</ref>

Since the year 2000, a small but increasing number of jurisdictions have enacted laws redefining pet's ''owners'' as ''guardians''. Intentions have been characterized as simply [[Political correctness|changing attitudes and perceptions]] (but not legal consequences) to working toward [[Personhood#Non-human_animals|legal personhood]] for pets themselves.<ref name="Guardian Campaign Communities List"/><ref name="Nolen 2005"/><ref name="Chapman 2005"/><ref name="Katz 2004"/>

The question of pets' legal status can arise with concern to [[Pet adoption|purchase or adoption]], [[Legal custody|custody]], [[divorce]], [[Estate (law)|estate]] and [[inheritance]], [[personal injury|injury]], [[Property damage|damage]], and [[Veterinary_physician#Veterinary_malpractice|veterinary malpractice]].<ref name="Guardian Campaign Communities List"/><ref name="Nolen 2005"/><ref name="Chapman 2005"/><ref name="Katz 2004"/>


==Local restrictions==
==Local restrictions==

Revision as of 23:25, 14 October 2013

This article is about animals kept for companionship. For "PET" used as an acronym, see PET. For "PETS" used as an acronym, see PETS. For Medical PET Scans, see PET Scans. For the use of "pet" as a verb, see Petting.
A cat and dog, the two most popular pets

A pet (or companion animal) is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or protection, as opposed to working animals, sport animals, livestock, and laboratory animals, which are kept primarily for performance, agricultural value, or research. The most popular pets are noted for their attractive appearances and their loyal or playful personalities.

Pets commonly provide their owners (or guardians[1][2][3][4]) with benefits, such as providing companionship to elderly adults who do not have adequate social interaction with other people.[5][6] While some people believe in the physical and emotional benefits of owning a pet, scientists are currently working to verify these ideas with medical studies.[5] There is now a medically approved class of "therapy animals", mostly dogs, that are brought to visit confined humans. Pet therapy utilizes trained animals and handlers to achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals with patients.[7] Walking a dog can provide both the human and pet with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.

The most popular pets are likely dogs and cats, but people also keep house rabbits; rodents such as gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, fancy rats, and guinea pigs; avian pets, such as canaries, parakeets, and parrots; reptile pets, such as turtles, lizards and snakes; aquatic pets, such as tropical fish and frogs; and arthropod pets, such as tarantulas and hermit crabs.

The keeping of animals as pets can raise concerns in regard to animal welfare. Dr Jenia Meng, the Nonhuman Rights Project, In Defense of Animals, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have raised concerns over animal rights and autonomy of animals.[8][9][10][11]


Local restrictions

Many cities and towns have local ordinances limiting the number of pets a person may have, although a certain number of animals may be kept for business purposes. They may also restrict or forbid certain pets, such as exotics. Certain breeds of dog, such as the pit bull and the Rottweiler, are banned in some places. Canid hybrids, created by breeding dogs with other members of the canine family, may be banned in some places. Semi-exotic cats, such as the Savannah, are also banned in some locations.

In many locations, animals that are considered pets by their owners but are legally classified as livestock (including horses, pigs, camelids, and fowl) or wild animals ( bear, tiger, skunk) may be banned from being kept within the city limits or restricted to property of a certain larger size. Additional or different maintenance rules and regulations may apply.

Condominium associations and rental properties often limit or forbid tenants from keeping pets.

Pet popularity

Pet dogs

There are approximately 78.2 million pet dogs in the USA, approximately 86.4 million pet cats in the USA,[12] and 5.3 million house rabbits.[13] The two most popular pets in most Western countries have been cats and dogs. In the United States, a 2007–2008 survey showed that dog-owning households outnumbered those owning cats, but that the total number of pet cats was higher than that of dogs. The same was true for 2009–2010.[14] In 2013, pets outnumber children four to one in the United States.[15]

Most popular pets in the U.S (millions)[16][17]
Pet Global population U.S. population U.S. inhabited households U.S. average per inhabited household
Cat 202 93.6 38.2 2.45
Dog 171 77.5 45.6 1.70
Fish N/A 171.7 13.3 12.86
Small mammals N/A 15.9 5.3 3.00
Birds N/A 15.0 6.0 2.50
Reptiles & Amphibians N/A 13.6 4.7 2.89
Equine N/A 13.3 3.9 3.41
A Maltese puppy

Choice of a pet

For a small to medium-size dog, the total cost over a dog's lifetime is about $7,240 to $12,700.[18] For an indoor cat, the total cost over a cat's lifetime is about $8,620 to $11,275.[19] People most commonly get pets for companionship, to protect a home or property, or because of the beauty or attractiveness of the animals.[20] The most common reasons for not owning a pet are lack of time, lack of suitable housing, and lack of ability to care for the pet when traveling.[20]

United States

Margaret Gorman with her pet Greyhound in April 1925

According to the 2007-2008 Pet Owners survey:[21]

Animal Number of U.S. households
that own this kind of pet (millions) 		Total number of this kind of pet owned
in the U.S. (millions)
Bird 6.0 15.0
Cat 38.2 93.6
Dog 45.6 79.5
Equine 4.0 13.3
Freshwater fish 13.3 171.7
Saltwater fish 0.7 11.2
Reptile 4.7 13.6
Small pets 5.3 15.9

Canada

The latest survey done by Sunmin kim from estimates that there are 79 million cats and 59 million dogs in Canada. The survey also shows that 35% of Canadian households have a dog, while 38% have a cat, which is consistent with other surveys conducted around the world.[22]

United Kingdom

A 2007 survey by the University of Bristol found that 26% of UK households owned cats and 31% owned dogs, estimating total domestic populations of approximately 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs in 2006.[23] 47.2% of households with a cat had at least one person educated to degree level, compared with 38.4% of homes with dogs.[24]

Overpopulation

Main article: Overpopulation in companion animals

Animal protection advocates call attention to pet overpopulation. According to the Humane Society of the United States, animal shelters care for about 6 to 8 million dogs and cats each year, but approximately 3 to 4 million are euthanized.[25] A fertile cat or dog can produce up to two litters per year containing four or more kittens or puppies per litter.[26] Not every pet entering a shelter is a stray. Many pets are surrendered everyday because of reasons such as moving, cost, allergies, too many pets, no time for pet, illness, and personal problems.[27] Local humane societies, Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs), and other animal protection organizations urge people to spay or neuter their pets, as well as to adopt animals from animal shelters instead of purchasing them from breeders or pet stores.

Effects on pets' health

Keeping animals as pets may become detrimental to their health if certain requirements are not kept. An important issue is inappropriate feeding, which may produce clinical effects (like the consumption of chocolate by cats and dogs[28]).

Effects of pets on their caregiver's health

Health benefits

Pets might have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past.[29] Having a pet may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress.[30][31][32][33][34][35] There is evidence that having a pet can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 patients without pets had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 patients who had pets.[29] Having pet(s) was shown to significantly reduce triglycerides, and thus heart disease risk, in the elderly.[36] A study by the National Institute of Health found that people who owned dogs were less likely to die as a result of a heart attack than those who didn’t own one.[37] Other studies have shown that for the elderly, good health may be a requirement for having a pet, and not a result.[38] Dogs which are trained to be guide dogs can help people with disabilities. Dogs that are trained in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) can also benefit people with disabilities.

Pets in long-term care institutions

People residing in a long-term care facility, such as a hospice or nursing home, experience health benefits from pets. Pets help them to cope with the emotional issues related to their illness. They also offer physical contact with another living creature, something that is often missing in an elder's life.[39] Pets for nursing homes are chosen based on the size of the pet, the amount of care that the breed needs, and the population and size of the care institution.[29] Appropriate pets go through a screening process and, if it is a dog, additional training programs to become a therapy dog.[40] There are three types of Therapy Dogs: "Facility Therapy Dogs", "Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs" and "Therapeutic Visitation Dogs". The most common Therapy Dogs are "Therapeutic Visitation Dogs". These dogs are household pets whose handlers take time to visit hospitals, nursing homes, detention facilities, and rehabilitation facilities.[6] Different pets require varying amounts of attention and care; for example, cats may have lower maintenance requirements than dogs.[41]

Health risks

Health risks that are associated with pets include:

  • Aggravation of allergies and asthma caused by dander and fur or feathers
  • Falling injuries. Tripping over pets, especially dogs, causes more than 86,000 falls serious enough to prompt a trip to the emergency room each year in the United States.[42] Among elderly and disabled people, these falls have resulted in life-threatening injuries and broken bones.
  • Injuries, maulings and sometimes deaths caused by pet bites and attacks
  • Disease and/or parasites due to animal hygiene problems or lack of appropriate treatment (faeces and urine)
  • Stress caused by behaviour of animals

Common types

While many people have kept many different species of animals in captivity over the course of human history, only a relative few have been kept long enough to be considered domesticated. Other types of animals, notably monkeys, have never been domesticated but are still commonly sold and kept as pets. There are also inanimate objects that have been kept as "pets", either as a form of game, or humorously (e.g. the pet rock or Chia pet).

Domesticated

Domesticated pets are the most common types of pet. A domesticated animal is any animal that has been tamed and made fit for a human environment.[43] They have consistently been kept in captivity over a long enough period of time that they exhibit marked differences in behavior and appearance from their wild relatives.

Mammals

A pet rabbit

Birds

Fish

Wild

The Pashas Favourite Tiger

Wild animals are often kept as pets. The term wild in this context specifically applies to any species of animal which has not undergone a fundamental change in behavior to facilitate a close co-existence with humans. Some species listed here may have been bred in captivity for a considerable length of time, but are still not recognized as domesticated.

Exotic mammals

Birds

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fish

Arthropods

The Caribbean hermit crab is one example of a pet arthropod.

Non-living

See also

References

  1. ^ "Do You Live in a Guardian Community?". The Guardian Campaign. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  2. ^ Nolen, R. Scott (2005 March 1). "Now, it's the lawyers' turn". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved 29 August 2013. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Chapman, Tamara (2005 March/April). "Owner or Guardian?" (PDF). Trends Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2013. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Katz, Jon (2004 March 5). "Guarding the Guard Dogs?". Home / Heavy Petting: Pets & People. Slate. Retrieved 29 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b "The Health Benefits of Pets". US Government National Institute of Health. Retrieved 25 December 2006.
  6. ^ a b Reiman, Steve. "Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Environment" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  7. ^ Farlex. "The Free Dictionary By Farlex". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  8. ^ "About Us". Organization Website. Nonhuman Rights Project. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  9. ^ "About". IDA Website. In Defense of Animals. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Animal Rights Uncompromised: 'Pets'", People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  11. ^ Meng, Jenia. Origins of attitudes towards animals 2009. Ultravisum, Brisbane. ISBN 9780980842517
  12. ^ The Humane Society of the United States. "U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  13. ^ USDA. "U.S. Rabbit Industry profile" (PDF). Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  14. ^ "Household Pet Ownership: 2001". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 17 September 2007. [dead link]
  15. ^ Daniel Halper (1 February 2013). "Animal Planet: Pets Outnumber Children 4 to 1 in America". The Weekly Standard. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  16. ^ Susan Hayes. "What are the most popular pets around the world?". PetQuestions.com. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Industry Statistics & Trends". American Pet Product Association. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  18. ^ Lieber, Alex. "Lifetime Costs of Dog Ownership". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  19. ^ Lieber, Alex. "Lifetime Costs of Cat Ownership". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  20. ^ a b Leslie, Be; Meek, Ah; Kawash, Gf; Mckeown, Db (1994). "An epidemiological investigation of pet ownership in Ontario" (Free full text). The Canadian veterinary journal. La revue veterinaire canadienne. 35 (4): 218–22. ISSN 0008-5286. PMC 1686751. PMID 8076276. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Industry Statistics & Trends". American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  22. ^ "Latest Pet Population Figures Released" (PDF). Canadian Animal Health Institute. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  23. ^ "UK domestic cat and dog population larger than thought". University of Bristol. 6 February 2010.
  24. ^ "More cat owners 'have degrees' than dog-lovers". BBC News Online. 6 February 2010.
  25. ^ The Humane Society of The United States. "Common Questions about Animal Shelters". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  26. ^ ASPCA. "ASPCA".
  27. ^ "National Council on Pet Population". "National Council on Pet Population".
  28. ^ Mason Woods, Elizabeth. "Toxic and Dangerous Foods for Pets". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  29. ^ a b c Whiteley, Ellen H. (1986). "The Healing Power of Pets". Vol. 258, no. 7. Saturday Evening Post. pp. 2–102. Retrieved 5 November 2006. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh
  30. ^ Asp, Karen (2005). "Volunteer Pets". Prevention. 57 (4): 176–78. Retrieved 5 November 2006. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh
  31. ^ Allen, K; Shykoff, Be; Izzo, Jl, Jr (1 October 2001). "Pet ownership, but not ace inhibitor therapy, blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress" (Free full text). Hypertension. 38 (4): 815–20. ISSN 0194-911X. PMID 11641292.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Kingwell, Ba; Lomdahl, A; Anderson, Wp (2001). "Presence of a pet dog and human cardiovascular responses to mild mental stress". Clinical autonomic research. 11 (5): 313–7. doi:10.1007/BF02332977. ISSN 0959-9851. PMID 11758798. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Wilson, Cc (1987). "Physiological responses of college students to a pet". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 175 (10): 606–12. doi:10.1097/00005053-198710000-00005. ISSN 0022-3018. PMID 3655768. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  34. ^ Koivusilta, Leena K.; Ojanlatva, A; Baune, Bernhard (2006). Baune, Bernhard (ed.). "To Have or Not To Have a Pet for Better Health?". PLoS ONE. 1 (1): e109. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000109. PMC 1762431. PMID 17205113.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  35. ^ Vormbrock, Jk; Grossberg, Jm (1988). "Cardiovascular effects of human–pet dog interactions". Journal of behavioral medicine. 11 (5): 509–17. doi:10.1007/BF00844843. ISSN 0160-7715. PMID 3236382. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Dembicki, D and Anderson, J. 1996. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. Volume 15 Issue 3, pages 15-31.
  37. ^ Jodee. "Want to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease? Get a Pet". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  38. ^ Parslow, Ruth; Jorm, Anthony; Christensen, Helen; Rodgers, Bryan; Jacomb, Patricia (2005). "Pet Ownership and Health in Older Adults". Gerontology. 40. 51 (1). www.karger.com/ger: Karger: 40–47. doi:10.1159/00081433. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  39. ^ Reinman, Steve. "Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Environment" (PDF). Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  40. ^ Huculak, Chad (4 October 2006). "Super Furry Animals". Edmonton: W7.. LexisNexis. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh. 5 Nov. 2006.
  41. ^ Bruck, Laura (1996). "Today's Ancillaries, Part 2: Art, music and pet therapy". Nursing Homes: Long Term Care Management. 45 (7): 36. Retrieved 5 November 2006. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. Polk Library, UW Oshkosh.
  42. ^ "In the Home, a Four-Legged Tripwire". The New York Times. 27 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Farlex. "The Free Dictionary by Farlex". Retrieved 27 April 2012.
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