April 11 National Pet Day
April 11 is National Pet Day. A pet is an animal that lives for the company of humans. Different cultures have different types of pets, but most people have at least one dog and one cat in their homes. It is estimated that approximately 84.9 million — or 67% — of American households own at least one kind of pet.
Dogs and cats are often used as pets and companion animals. But there are other animals that can be pets, such as rabbits, birds, hamsters and guinea pigs.
National Pet Day is a day to celebrate our furry friends and the bonds that we form with them. It is an unofficial holiday that celebrates the companionship of pets.
It is also a day to commemorate everything that our pets do for us on a daily basis. So if you have a pet, you can do something special for them on this day by taking them for a long walk; buying them a special treat or maybe, just by spending a little bit of extra time with them. After all, don’t they deserve it?
We can also share photos of our pets on social media and read inspiring stories about the special relationships between people and their animals. Whether you have an indoor dog or cat, a horse, or even a turtle or gerbil, National Pet Day is a day to show your love for all of your furry friends!
Pet Ownership
Spots.com reports that two out of every three American homes includes a pet. Pet ownership has also increased 20% since 1988. Of the 393.3 million pets living in the United States, most are dogs, cats, and fish.
- 85 million or 67% of American homes include a pet.
- 95% of American pet owners consider their pets to be family members.
- Freshwater aquarium fish are the most popular pet, with 139.3 million of them nationwide.
Spots also reports that pet ownership appears to be most popular among younger adults. The eldest of Generation Z are just now reaching adulthood. Wtih comparatively little data available regarding Generation Z and pet ownership, statistical meaning is doubtful.
- 73% of Millennials, born between 1981 and 1994, own pets.
- 89% of home-owning Millennials also own pets.
- 35% of all pet owners are Millennials.
- 32% of pet owners are Generation X, born between 1965 and 1981.
- 27% of pet owners are Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964.
- Just 6% of pet owners are in the Silent Generation.
Pet Care Costs
The latest Census Bureau figures report that to provide for the health of America’s pets, there are over 32,000 veterinary establishments, and more than 71,000 practicing veterinarians. Including veterinary costs, Americans spend on average $1,126 annually on their pets.
According to Spots.com, the pet industry is one of the largest in the world, with the majority of its $95 billion-dollar value coming from pet food. Historically, spending for pets seems unaffected by the economy’s performance. Pet owner spending has steadily increased in every area except the purchase of live animals. The latter data may be attributable to increased awareness of animal shelters and the benefits of pet adoption.
Another cost many pet owners do not factor in to the cost of owning their pet is pet insurance. While that industry is relatively new in the United States, it appears to be on the rise with competative companies now offer pet insurance as part of employee benefits packages. In fact, 1.6% of American pet owners now have pet insurance. The most common pet insurance claims are for minor issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and ear infections. There are several coverage options available for pets:
- Accident-only
- Wellness/Preventative Care
- Illness
- Whole Pet (covering two or more options above)
35.7% of annual pet spending goes toward medical and veterinary care, and most pet healthcare procedures cost more for dogs than cats.
History of National Pet Day
National Pet Day was created in 2006 by Colleen Paige, an animal rights activist. The day was originally declared on the 4th of July, but that date fell on a Sunday in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, National Pet Day was moved to April 23.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the observance was created to acknowledge the contentment pets bring to our lives, and to sustain awareness of the animal populations at risk in shelters. Starting with dogs thousands of years ago, people worldwide have taken to keeping a growing number of domesticated animal species for pleasure and companionship.
Some famous pets who have been celebrated on National Pet Day include Tipper Gore’s pig, Bo Obama, and the Bush family’s dogs.
Animal Shelters and Pet Adoption Statistics
According to the most recent USDA statistics, sadly nearly 19.5 million dogs and cats were euthanized in the United States in 2007. This equates to one animal being euthanized every 12 seconds.
Conclusion
National Pet Day is a day to celebrate the companionship of pets and to reinforce the human-animal bond. So be sure to treat your pet to something special today — and tell them how much they mean to you and your family.
April 11 National Pet Day. two out of every three American homes includes a pet. Pet ownership has also increased 20% since 1988. Click To Tweet
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