Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Pet Owner?

I am not alone in having sought a Pandemic Puppy. Pet care became an obsession in the time of Covid. Petco’s sales rose by eleven percent, Chewy’s by forty-seven percent, and Morgan Stanley has predicted that the pet-care industry will almost triple in size in the next decade.

There are many benefits of pet ownership. They love you unconditionally, they can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Pets stave off loneliness, and living with pets helps people to be more active. Both companion and service dogs have been known to literally save their owners’ lives. Research has shown that where there is a bond between human and animal, the presence of a pet decreases psychological arousal and stress, and creates physiological changes that make us feel better. You give love and get love.

In an ideal situation, pets can receive emotional benefits from their owners. If they’ve been abused, malnourished, or mistreated, they can heal and flourish. But that’s dependent on what the owner brings to the table. Some people should never be allowed near a pet. So, what are the traits of a good pet owner? They should be patient and able to give and take love. They should be empathic, committed, and trustworthy. They should have financial and housing stability and be relatively emotionally healthy. Above all, they need to be responsible.

Who should not be a pet owner? Pet owners need to have a degree of control over their pet, and their pets function best when they understand household expectations. But people who have a strong need for power and control, to the point of domestic violence or neglect, should not have a pet. Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people. Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that many animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses. In one study of families under investigation for suspected child abuse, researchers found that pet abuse had occurred in 88 percent of the families under supervision for physical abuse of their children. Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under thirty, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.

Sadly, among the 6-8 million animals that enter the rescue shelters every year, half (3-4 million) are euthanized, and 10-25% of them are put to death specifically because of shelter overcrowding each year. The top eight reasons for relinquishing a pet to a shelter are changing residences, landlord-related issues, cost, not having enough time for the pet, inadequate housing set-up, having too many animals in the household, owner illness, and having other personal problems. These may include family allergies, conflict between the pet and a child, death of an owner, illness, pregnancy, lack of time, divorce, and a desire to travel. Pet behavioral problems such as biting, aggression, escaping, soiling in the house, destructiveness, and disobedience were among the top seventeen reasons for relinquishment. (Salman et al., 1998). While most owners assume their dog will be adopted, 48% percent of dogs deemed adoptable by shelter staff were ultimately euthanized.

There are important questions you should ask yourself before you adopt. Emma Thompson, author, and founder of The Pet Town proposes good questions. Why do you want a pet? Be clear about your motivation, dreams, and hopes for pet ownership. Holding unrealistic expectations of pet behavior is a risk factor for relinquishment. Are you doing it for yourself or someone else? Do you have time to commit to the pet? Are you financially stable? If you are adopting a pet with a partner, examine the quality of the relationship. Is it a stable, relatively conflict-free and committed relationship? Do some research on the type of dog you want. Choose a breed that is compatible with your lifestyle or family. Consider the size, gender, energy level, etc. Is your housing situation appropriate for a pet? Do you rent or own your home? Do you have space for your pet? Are you expecting your children to take responsibility for the pet? Children are not capable of that kind of task, and in truth, not all adults are capable of the responsibility either. Are you willing to train the pet, or do you have the resources to have the pet trained? Without proper training, the chances of returning the pet to a shelter are greatly increased.

If you have the traits of a good pet owner and can share your home, I highly recommend you adopt. Even if you are unable to officially adopt, there may be something you can do at your local shelter or rescue to help animals in need.