Essay
Today, owning a pet is a widespread phenomenon. At the same time, humans have diverse reasons for keeping pets. The following essay is about companion animals and it consists of three parts. At first I will illustrate the benefits and drawbacks for both the human owners and the companion animals themselves. The second part will be
about state regulation of pet ownership. It will be discussed, if more or less regulation is desirable or not. Thirdly, I will elaborate on the question whether the world would be a better place if the practice of keeping animals as pets was outlawed.
The main goal of my essay will be to have a closer look at the human-petrelationship nowadays. However, I will make some remarks on the keeping of animals in a historical context at first.
In different cultures all over the world, keeping pets has been a common phenomenon in the history of mankind. James Serpell (1989) found that in Australia the Aborigines kept dingoes, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, rats, cassowaries or even frogs as pets, in Southeast Asia indigenous groups kept dogs, cats, pigs, monkeys and various birds. The Indians of North America kept deer, moose, bisons, racoons, wolves, dogs, bears, turkeys, hawks, crows and a variety of other small wild mammals and birds. In general, one can see that so-called "indigenous" peoples have always kept animals ac-
tively. For example, the Brazilian Kalapalo Indians were interested in taming their animals. The relationship to their pets can be defined as filiative or like that of parents and their children. Furthermore, Kalapalos never killed or ate their pets. In other cultures, like in some of the "red races" in North America, it was even common for women to bring up bears by giving them milk from their own breasts. Later on, even in cultures like the Indians of the Canadian Arctic, where dogs were normally treated as working
animals, childless individuals and couples occasionally adopted a puppy into their household to satisfy their social and material needs (Serpell, 1989).
Although this was just a short glimpse on history, one can see that people did not always treat their animals with cruelty or kept them to produce food.
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Table of Contents
1. Essay
Objective & Themes
The primary objective of this essay is to critically examine the human-pet relationship in contemporary society, balancing the benefits of companionship against the ethical challenges of pet ownership and potential regulatory solutions. The research addresses whether the current practice of keeping animals as pets is beneficial or problematic and how it might be improved through policy.
- Historical context of pet-keeping across various cultures.
- Psychological and social benefits of human-animal interaction.
- Drawbacks and negative consequences such as animal hoarding and neglect.
- State regulation and the morality of pet ownership.
- Strategies to mitigate animal overpopulation and improve welfare standards.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Essay
Nowadays, there are several theories about the reasons for humans to own pets. For example, it is assumed that humans have social as well as material needs which can be fulfilled through the interaction with a pet at least to a certain degree (Serpell, 1989). Thus, people often connect several benefits with the purchase of a pet.
According to Zasloff (1995) one of the most common reasons for humans to own a pet is because they want companionship. Studies have shown that the need to be accompanied is common with older people in order to guarantee the quality of life. Sometimes pets are also likely to replace a partner in single households (Stafford, 2008). Another reason for owning a pet is that people might need someone guarding them. In modern communities people often feel safer when they know that a dog is around them, taking care of the house and the people living inside. Apparently, humans also keep pets for fitness purposes, as they pretend to be more active and sportive when they own a dog, which makes them go out for a walk or for some training run.
In addition to that, people’s health might also benefit from exposure to pets in hospitals or hospices. Animal-assisted activities and therapies are a widespread measure to go along with the healing process of patients, and especially in situations where patients lack attention from family member or relatives, exposure to dogs can at least lead to interaction and communication (Stafford & Kyono, 2002). Dogs are also likely to mitigate the effects of autism and other mental health problems in children, as they are able to increase communication and relief stress (Stafford, 2008).
Summary of Chapters
1. Essay: This chapter provides an overview of the historical and social dimensions of pet ownership, exploring its benefits and negative impacts, and discusses potential regulatory frameworks to improve animal welfare.
Keywords
Companion animals, pet ownership, animal welfare, human-pet relationship, animal hoarding, state regulation, animal-assisted therapy, social needs, pet license, animal sterilization, ethics, historical pet-keeping, urban pet management, companion animal neglect, animal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the dynamics of human-pet relationships, specifically analyzing the motivations behind pet ownership and the resulting social and ethical consequences.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the historical background of keeping animals, the psychological benefits for humans, the dangers of irresponsible ownership like animal hoarding, and the debate surrounding government regulation.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The goal is to analyze the contemporary human-pet relationship and discuss whether stricter state regulations or potential bans on pet-keeping would better serve the welfare of animals and society.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The essay employs a literature-based analytical approach, synthesizing existing sociological and veterinary research, including studies from Serpell, Stafford, and Rollin & Rollin.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the history of pet-keeping, the mental and physical health benefits, negative externalities such as neighborhood conflict, animal hoarding, and the ethics behind pet licensing and sterilization.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include companion animals, pet ownership, animal welfare, animal hoarding, and state regulation.
How does the author view the concept of 'animal hoarding'?
The author describes animal hoarding as a symptom of an 'I-have-to-save-them-all' mentality that leads to severe neglect, squalid living conditions, and significant social issues for the owners.
What is the author's stance on outlawing pet ownership?
The author concludes that a complete ban is not the best solution, advocating instead for the improvement of existing regulations, better education for owners, and mandatory licensing to ensure animals are treated responsibly.
What comparison does the author make to justify dog licenses?
The author compares owning a dog to owning a car, arguing that both require a license and a sense of permanent responsibility, preventing people from simply abandoning the property when it is no longer wanted.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jens Goldschmidt (Autor:in), 2009, An Essay on Companion Animals, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/177053
