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Pet Ownership

 

Wandering Cats: Attitudes and Behaviors towards Cat Containment in Australia

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This survey of adults in Victoria, Australia examined attitudes toward keeping cats indoors. Those who live with cats were also asked if they keep their cats indoors and why. The authors find that most support some degree of cat containment, though the motivations for this differ between those who live with cats and those who do not.

Owning the Problem: Media Portrayals of Overweight Dogs and the Shared Determinants of the Health of Human and Companion Animals

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This study examined how overweight dogs have been portrayed in English-speaking media between 2000-2009. The authors find that, while the media may report on social issues leading to increased obesity, they tend to focus the solutions to the problem solely on what the dog's companion person should do to resolve the issue.

The Development and Factor Structure of a Questionnaire Measure of the Strength of Attachment to Pet Dogs

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This study describes the development of survey measures to evaluate people's attachment to their dogs. The authors test the scales and find that they are a reliable measure of degree of closeness to a companion animal, caring for and protecting a companion, and as a base measure of emotional comfort and well-being generally.

Looking for an Ideal Horse: Rider Preferences

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This study examines the qualities that people who ride horses look for in a horse. Researchers found the most important qualities were ease of handling and maintenance. Ability to jump was also important to more advanced riders.

New Poll Reveals Americans Often Treat Pets Like Humans

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This survey asks U.S. adults who live with companion animals about how they incorporate them into their families. Half of the respondents indicate that they feel their companion is as much a part of their family as the people in their household.

Survey: Many Pets Go Without Yearly Vet Visits

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This survey questioned people who live with companion animals about taking their companions to a veterinarian. Most people (80%) had taken their companions to a vet in the past year. Of those who had not, cost was cited as an important reason.

Survey: Pets are Pigging Out on Christmas Treats

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This survey finds that the winter holidays come with extra treats for companion animals. 37% of pet owners surveyed say they intend to feed their companion animals a special feast for Christmas dinner.

The AP-Petside.com Poll

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The AP-Petside.com Poll is an annual survey of people with companion animals. It asks questions about where companion animals were obtained, attitudes about adoption, number of companions in the household, and personal experience at shelters, among other questions.

Dog Bites Stats and Solutions

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Image by Flickr user alicetiara, used under Creative Commons LicenseDespite public perception to the contrary (often based on media reports), serious dog bites are relatively rare, and no particular breed is more likely to be responsible for them. A publication issued by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services examined statistics and circumstances related to dog-related incidents, and is formulating more effective strategies to improve public safety.

Oregon Surveys Veterinarians About Scope of Illegal Practice

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The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) conducted a survey of veterinarians regarding their knowledge of and attitudes toward non-veterinarians providing services to animals. Most responding veterinarians were aware of such instances, with the most frequently reported services provided being chiropractic and anesthesia-free dental cleanings.


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