May 6 to 12 is 2007 National Pet Week, a time during which people throughout the United States will celebrate the bond between animals and humans and aid the event’s goal of promoting responsible pet ownership and care.
For many pet owners, National Pet Week is a chance to learn more about taking proper care of their cats. It also gives owners an opportunity to explore and develop their children’s interactions with their cats.
“Pet ownership is a great experience for children. However, parents need to teach a child what to do and then supervise to ensure the pet gets good care,” said Ron Faoro, DVM, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association. “That includes instruction on feeding, grooming, cleaning the pet’s living area and bringing it to a veterinarian when sick or suffering from a physical injury.”
A big part of the pet experience for children includes teaching them the pros and cons of taking responsibility for an animal and learning to manage those times when a pet misbehaves or shows an annoying behavior.
“Treating pets like family members adds to a child’s understanding of the responsibility of pet ownership. Just as a family member needs regular checkups with a doctor, a pet needs routine veterinary visits and vaccinations,” Faoro said.
For more on National Pet Week, click here.