Exercise

              You have probably gone on walks with your friends, children or maybe you’d like to just have some alone time. Now, imagine having a pet.  Did you know that dog owners are likely to get more exercise? Researchers at Michigan State University found that friends and family with dogs are more likely to walk 34 minutes than those without. You could also play a game of fetch or take them to the park and throw a Frisbee

              Cats can also get exercise as well.  You probably won’t be able to walk a cat on a leash as easily as a dog, but you could give it a try. Other exercises could include, having them run or walk on the treadmill with supervision, giving them cat toys to play with, having them chase a laser or give them a wand. Buying a cat tower, having them play with other cats or building them an obstacle course is another option. If you see your cat exercising, you’ll want to exercise as well! If you would like more ideas or maybe you would like to look in detail at the thoughts we just mentioned, please check out this link:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/ten-cat-exercises.aspx

Creates Responsibility

              Do you have children, nieces or nephews that are always pleading with you to get a pet? If so, getting a pet might not be such a bad idea. In Fact, doing this may even help your loved ones mature a little faster. For example, depending on the age of the child, it might be a good idea to assess their responsibilities around the house and then decide from there. If the child is young (age 5; not including babies,) a dog probably will be too much for them. Try getting them a guinea pig or something smaller.

              If you have an older child (age 6 and up,) let them pick their own pet. It’s always a good idea to take the child to the library and get a book about the pet you are getting. Ask them to read the book, then request them to summarize in their own words what the responsibilities are.

Helps Lower Stress

              How many times have you coe home stressed from work and just want to relax and not do anything? Well, having a pet might help with this. Rather than coming home aggravated, think about your furry friend standing in the doorway greeting you with a ball or rope in their mouth. All your anger may melt away when you start playing and soon after, you quickly forget. The elderly may benefit from this as well. You may lose what’s important to you as you age: retiring from your career or job, children may move away and you will need to find new meaning in life. Adopting a pet from an animal shelter may be a good option if you want to save an animal from getting euthanized.

Protection and Security

              What Would we do without dogs to keep us safe? We always have had dogs to protect us; sniffing baggage, protecting our boarders from drugs and fighting alongside soldiers at war. Think about it, would you want to talk or mess with someone walking a big dog? If an intruder hears a dog barking, they are less likely to enter a house to steal things. If you would like to know more about how dogs can protect you and the benefits it has, feel free to check out this link:

https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-training/how-do-dogs-protect-you/

 
Companionship
              Did you just graduate from College and get a new apartment? Maybe you are struggling with depression from COVID 19? Pets can be a great benefit.  For example, a pet can serve as a purpose for you to get up in the morning.  It also may help you start a conversation with someone. If people see you walking down the street with a dog or cat or maybe pushing something in a stroller, Chances are you could get asked a lot more questions. Furthermore, if the person is having fun with you and is not too busy, he or she may just go for a walk with you and your pet. If you would like to read more about this topic, please check out this link:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2019/06/02/are-you-feeling-lonely-how-about-getting-a-pet/ 

Rescue
              Have     you always thought about adopting a pet from an animal shelter? This is a good idea because not only does it make you feel good inside, but it helps adoption or rescue shelters as well.  Here are some examples:

1. You save 2 lives.

              When adopting from an animal shelter, you are giving a lost or unwanted pet a loving and nurturing home, but at the same time, you are supporting a great charity. Puppy or kitten mills cell to pet stores so they can produce puppies and kittens as fast as possible.

2. You are breaking up the cycle of over populating pets

              Every year, there are not enough homes for animals that are born and more than 8 million are euthanized. Shelter dogs are also spade or neutered.

3. You get the choice of pets at any age.

              We all know that puppies are hard to train. This is why if you buy from an animal shelter, you can explore options. If you would like a pet that is house broken, you may want an adult dog. Feel free to check out this link for more info:

https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/six-reasons-adopt-rescue/ 

Retirement

              We’ve probably all heard of dogs that retire after working (farmer dogs, police dogs, service dogs including guide dogs) but what happens when they finish working? A lot of them get put down. Some get adopted buy a family. Greyhounds used to get euthanized after racing

              Pets are a great addition to a family or anyone who is just looking for a friend. They can provide companionship, lower stress, protect you from harm and many other things. If you are thinking about getting a pet, you may want to think about adopting from an animal shelter!