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

Pets

The fossil record shows the domestication of dogs happening around 30,000 years ago.

Domestication of cats happened around 12,000 years ago in the middle east

Farming started about 12,000 years ago and livestock stock around 11,000 years ago 

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?

As of 2024, the United States is home to approximately 393 million pets across various animal types. Here's a breakdown by species:​

Animal Type

Estimated Number of Pets

Freshwater Fish - 139.3 million

Cats - 94.2 million

Dogs - 89.7 million

Birds - 20.3 million

Saltwater Fish - 18.8 million

Small Animals - 14.0 million

Reptiles - 9.4 million

Horses - 7.6 million

These figures indicate that freshwater fish are the most numerous pets in the U.S., followed by cats and dogs. The high number of fish is attributed to individuals often keeping multiple fish as pets. ​

Pet Type

Number of Households (in millions)

Dogs - 65.1 millions

Cats - 46.5 millions

Freshwater Fish - 11.1 millions

Small Animals - 6.7 millions

Birds - 6.1 millions

Reptiles - 6.0 millions

Horses - 2.2 millions 

Saltwater Fish - 2.2 millions

Negative statistics about pets

Approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized annually in the U.S., including 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats. 

Pet dogs contribute to environmental degradation by disturbing wildlife, emitting carbon through pet food production, and polluting ecosystems with waste and chemicals. 

Cities like Los Angeles face surging street cat populations, estimated between 1 to 3 million, due to factors like unaffordable pet care and housing instability. 

It is estimated that approximately 10 million animals die each year in the United States due to abuse, neglect, or cruelty . This figure encompasses various forms of mistreatment, including abandonment, hoarding, and failure to provide essential care. 

Pet Abuse

Federal Laws

P.A.C.T. Act (2019)

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act makes certain acts of animal cruelty federal crimes.
It criminalizes:

• Crushing

• Burning

• Drowning

• Suffocating

• Impaling animals

• Other serious harm (especially when filmed or shared)
  
  

Penalties: Up to 7 years in prison and/or fines.

State Laws

Every U.S. state has laws prohibiting cruelty to animals, but they differ in definitions, penalties, and enforcement. Most states have:

Types of Animal Cruelty:

1. Neglect: Failure to provide food, water, shelter, vet care.

2. Abuse: Physical harm, torture, or overworking animals.

3. Abandonment: Leaving animals behind without proper care.

4. Animal Fighting: Dogfighting and cockfighting are illegal in all 50 states.

Felony vs Misdemeanor

• All 50 states have felony provisions for severe animal cruelty.

• Lesser offenses (like minor neglect) may be treated as misdemeanors.

Penalties Can Include:

• Fines (ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars)

• Jail or prison time

• Community service

• Animal ownership bans

• Mandatory counseling

Aggravating Factors That Increase Penalties

• Repeat offenses

• Abuse of service animals

• Abuse in front of children

• Abuse resulting in an animal's death

• Organized animal fighting

Discussion:

Pet shops and new laws around impulse buying animals

Assignment:

Create 5-10 interview questions about pets. Go find a teacher or another adult and interview them about their pets. Your questions need to find out how did they get their pet, if they researched the pet before they got it, did they plan for it, were they prepared for that pet before they got it, did they know what they were getting into, has owning that pet created challenges in their life, and any extra questions you would like to ask.