Companion Animals

This nationwide survey of more than 36,000 purebred dogs in the United Kingdom identified the most common health conditions in dog breeds in 2004, with cancer as the most frequently occurring ailment.

This Hong Kong news article discusses the problem of unhealthy pets being purchased from pet stores and recaps public attitudes concerning companion animals based on surveys conducted by the group "Happy Animals."

This May 2009 survey of Canadian animal shelters found that they held three times more cats than dogs and four times more kittens than puppies. Sources of shelter intake include most strays and abandonments, but also relinquishments due to owners who move and financial issues.

This article provides an in-depth look at theories that correlate acts of violence toward non-human animals and humans and suggests that there may be other causal explanations for this link, including empathy impairment and/or conduct disorder.

There is growing evidence suggesting that companion animals can positively benefit the health and well-being of their human guardians. This paper explores the evidence leading to this conclusion and also examines the ability of dogs to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of specific chronic diseases in their owners.

This report presents information about the extent to which dogs and cats are used in higher education and the purposes for which they are used, focusing in particular on how these animals are obtained (e.g., through dealers, including biological supply companies, and pounds). Estimates of dog and cat usage in higher education were compiled from all public colleges and universities located in a sample of 24 states.

This article explores the relationship between animals, humans, and insensate "things" and how our perceptions of these relationships affect human attitudes toward animals.

An investigation to determine if consideration of the owner as the legal guardian of the pet had an effect on the bond between dog and owner did not reflect either negative or positive impacts on the relationship.

Survey results by Bissell Homecare address pet ownership habits of people in the U.S., finding that half of dog and cat owners allow their pets to roam free in their houses all of the time. The survey also addresses other pet lifestyle habits, with emphasis on hair/fur.

This study examined whether or not an attachment to companion animals is associated with better physical and/or psychological health in senior citizens and found that pet ownership maintains or slightly enhances the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in older people.