Celebrating National Pet Month

National Pet Month is all about celebrating pets and the love we have for them. Furry, scaly, and feathered, we all benefit from their presence every day.

Did you know that 70% of American households have at least one pet? Studies suggest that forming attachments with your furry friends can be mutually beneficial to both you and the pet. That’s right, spending time with a pet can promote both your physical and mental health.

Since the 80’s, research has been pretty detailed that pets have a positive physiological effect on people, reducing people’s stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and even lowering blood pressure. Playing and petting animals release oxytocin and dopamine in the brain, creating more positive feelings in a person, which researchers deemed the ‘pet effect.’ Since pets cause a person to be more active, they are said to contribute to a person's better sense of purpose and increased social interactions.

Other Benefits

Let's Celebrate Our Pets as the Movers and the Shakers They Are

Dog owners are more likely than non-dog owners to spend time regularly walking, especially in urban areas. Pets are great companions that require regular exercise, and as a good pet owner, you get plenty of exercise as well.

Additionally, pets are more likely to draw people together into a community, creating additional companionship outside of the pet itself. People see other people with pets as more approachable, giving people a reason to stop and socialize with one another.

Social Stars Aren't Just For The Month of May

Connecting people further, pets are the true stars of social sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, getting more views and notoriety than many celebrities. My own dog @mistertheterrier amassed a following on Facebook out of nowhere. But have no fear, this is National Pet Month, so it’s open season on bragging.

Let’s celebrate our pets…spend some extra time with them, and buy them a new toy or bone. And while dogs and cats are seen as the most popular pets, we celebrate the diversity pet-mosphere here, including those with scales and fins.

Don’t have a pet? You can still celebrate animals in other ways:

Adopt – Thinking about getting a new furry best friend? You should adopt! The U.S. has approx. 6.3 million pets enter shelters each year, out of those, only about 65% are adopted. In adopting a pet, you're not just helping one animal, but many more. Adopting makes room in the shelter for another animal in need and allows them to become a loving pet for someone else.

Foster – Many animals need temporary homes before being adopted, because the shelter is full, they need socialization or even time to grow and learn. If you’re not ready for the long-term commitment of a forever pet, think about fostering instead.

Borrow – That’s right, it’s totally acceptable for you to borrow your neighbor’s pet for a snuggle.

Volunteer – Can’t adopt or foster? Volunteering is the next best thing. Rescues are always looking for a hand, because volunteers make up a large part of their workforce.

Donate – Donating to your local animal shelter or group is essential to keep the pet love flowing. Remember, your donations don’t have to be just money; you can also donate your time, skills, or supplies. Many animal groups are always looking for things like food, blankets, toys, and even kitty litter. The Sacramento SPCA even has an Amazon wish list available where you can look up what is currently needed. Check with your local shelter to see what is needed in your area.

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