What’s Making Global Cat and Dog News Today?
The Best Pet Daily Round-up of News, Research, Opinion or Fun published about Dogs and Cats from around the world:
United States (New York Times / Yahoo UK) Are We Loving Our Pets to Death?
In Brief: Two-thirds of American households now own pets, with spending reaching a record $136.8 billion in 2022. However, experts are raising alarms that our intense love may be harming our pets. Over-pampering and humanizing pets have led to a rise in health and behavioral issues such as obesity and anxiety. With more pets facing restrictions and less freedom, there's a growing debate on the need for pet care that respects their natural instincts.
United States (Fortune) Pets make for the best financial advisers and motivators. They force you to be more mindful about your spending, study shows
In Brief: Pets, increasingly considered family members, are proving to be financial motivators for their owners. A study by Empower shows that owning a pet, which costs significantly less than raising a child, encourages 40% of pet owners to manage their finances better and 36% to pursue financial goals. While pets require budgeting for regular expenses like food and vet care, they also prepare owners for future financial responsibilities. Nearly 60% of pet owners even change jobs for pet-friendly benefits, illustrating the significant role pets play in lifestyle and financial planning.
United States (Time . Yahoo UK) The Case Against Pets
In Brief: Pets, integral to over half of global households and driving a market surpassing $100 billion in the U.S., symbolize deep affection and companionship. However, ethicist Jessica Pierce raises serious concerns, pointing out the ethical dilemma and harm in treating animals as commodities for our pleasure or profit. Confinement and captivity can cause pets severe psychological and physical stress, leading to behavior changes and health deterioration. Moreover, the environmental impact of pet diets parallels the emissions of millions of cars, highlighting the unsustainable nature of current pet-keeping practices. Pierce advocates for a shift toward more ethical, mutual relationships with animals, emphasizing friendships over ownership.
United States (CNN) Every (explosive-sniffing) dog has their (graduation) day
In Brief: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms' National Canine Academy celebrated the graduation of seven explosive-sniffing Labrador Retrievers. After a rigorous five-month training in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, these dogs are now skilled in detecting thousands of explosive types. They will be deployed across the U.S. to enhance security at major events like the Super Bowl and national political conventions. Each canine, selected for their resilience to loud noises, is trained to work both on and off-leash, ensuring safety in highly dangerous situations.
United States (with Yahoo UK) Best Inbreed
In Brief: Since 2005, over two thousand dogs have been cloned, including memorable pets like Princess, whose owner, John Mendola, cloned her after her death in 2017. This cloning process, facilitated by companies like ViaGen Pets & Equine, involves cryogenically preserving a pet's cells and generating new pets, essentially creating genetic twins. This industry, while offering bereaved pet owners a semblance of their beloved animals, raises complex ethical issues about animal treatment and the nature of individuality in pets. The process also involves significant use of other animals, which complicates the moral landscape surrounding pet cloning.
