Group Discussion:

-I would like you to think about what it means to be domesticated?

-Why do we choose the pets that we have?

-Can all animals become pets?

-What responsibility do humans have towards animals?

-If you could have any pet what would it be and why?

Lecture:

Domestic animals share similar characteristics

-Pedomorphesis (Child like brain, do not enter their dominant stage)

-Piebald coloring

-Shortened or Curly Tails

-Floppy Ears

-Smaller or larger size (than average for the species)

-Friendly (Less aggression)

In the former soviet union, now Russia, scientists wanted to study how wolves became domesticated dogs. In their experiment they used foxes. A fox is a wild animal. They will bite humans and attack them if confronted. A fox does not make a good pet. The Russian scientists took the tamest ones and bred them together. After many generations the foxes became genetically tame. Some other physical characteristics also appeared, their legs became shorter and they developed tail wagging.

Examples:

Some Domesticated Piebald animals

Group Discussion:

So based on what you now know, how do you think wolves evolved into dogs?

Do you think that all animals can become pets?

Is it fair to own a non-domesticated animal as a pet?

Who should decide whether or not a species of animal can be kept as a pet?

Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2015-2016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)

Bird 6.1

Cat 42.9

Dog 54.4

Horse 2.5

Freshwater Fish 12.3

Saltwater Fish 1.3

Reptile 4.9

Small Animal 5.4

Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

Bird 14.3

Cat 85.8

Dog 77.8

Horse 7.5

Freshwater Fish 95.5

Saltwater Fish 9.5

Reptile 9.3

Small Animal 12.4

Estimated 2015 Sales within the U.S. Market

For 2015, it estimated that $60.59 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

Estimated Breakdown:

Food $23.04 billion

Supplies/OTC Medicine $14.39 billion

Vet Care $15.73 billion

Live animal purchases $2.19 billion

Pet Services: grooming & boarding $5.24 billion