Love me, love my pet.

It goes without saying, humans love pets. In the United States alone, it is estimated that sixty-five million dogs and almost seventy-eight million cats have owners. With thirty-nine percent of American households having dogs and thirty-four percent having cats, it is obvious these pets play a big part in our lives. This doesn't take into account the gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, parakeets, parrots, horses, and a multitude of other pets that give people comfort and love.

With pet ownership comes responsibility. The average dog owner spends approximately $263 on veterinary expenses per year. Cat owners plop down around $113. Add to that food, toys, comfort items, and even the photos taken of the pets and you can see owning a pet is quite a commitment.

You would think with all this care that dogs and cats are a pretty fortunate lot. Those who have good owners are lucky indeed. But unfortunately, each year millions of dogs and cats are deposited or rounded up by animal control personnel and deposited in shelters, or left to starve or become disease ridden on our city streets or abandoned on country roads. This is cruelty at its worst. What is sad is that each of these unfortunate orphans could have made a wonderful companion if they had been allowed the opportunity.

The solution to this problem is simple, and all pet owners can help. The number one obligation should be to prevent your pet from breeding by having it neutered or spayed. This is not cruel to the animal, and more importantly it will prevent a horrible existence to any unwanted offspring. With the exception of responsible breeders, there is no reason for family pets to breed. Anyone who has ended up with unwanted puppies or kittens knows that, although they might be cute and cuddly at first, finding them homes can be very difficult. Well intentioned owners end up having to take leftover puppies and kittens that weren't chosen to shelters where they are put to sleep if not selected as a pet in a short period of time. Because many shelters now charge for leaving animals in their care, some owners of unwanted offspring take it upon themselves to kill the puppies and kittens themselves. This usually results in very painful methods, and most States have laws that make this criminal.

The best thing you can do for your pet, besides vaccinations and rabies shots, is to have it neutered or spayed. There is an added benefit to this. Oftentimes this gives the pet a better disposition since it is not going through the hormonal swings prevalent with fertile animals which make the pet an even better companion. It is easier on your stress level too. No longer are you worrying about the cat or dog getting out of the house or yard and mating. No more yelling at the kids for leaving the door open.

Pets are wonderful. We need to be wonderful owners in return. If you decide to own a pet, be sure to make it a priority to take it to a veterinarian, get the required shots and vaccinations, and most importantly have it spayed or neutered. You'll enjoy a relaxed ownership of your pet, and you will prevent any chance of unwanted offspring.

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