A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person’s company, entertainment, or as an act of compassion such as taking in and caring for a stray cat. The most popular pets are noted for their attractive appearances and their loyal or playful personalities.
People have kept animals in captivity since before the dawn of civilization and continue to do so today for a variety of reasons. Pets provide their owners (or “guardians”) with companionship, love, and sometimes protection and security. In addition to these more general benefits that can be enjoyed by all kinds of guardians, people keep animals specifically as pets for many other reasons including: to show affection; as children’s toys; out of necessity such as hunting or herding; to protect property; because they are considered cute or amusing; due to peer pressure; or because they are trendy. Some people also keep animals for religious purposes or as therapy animals.
The keeping of animals as pets can cause concerns with regard to animal rights and welfare. Issues include the degree of control an owner has in regards to the diet, exercise and training regimes imposed on the animal, whether it is spayed or neutered (and how this affects its behavior), whether vaccinations are required by law, whether annual vet check-ups are recommended/required, what happens when the pet becomes seriously ill or injured and needs expensive treatment that the owner cannot afford, what should be done with surplus unwanted animals resulting from uncontrolled breeding (“puppy mills”), how long a pet should be allowed to live (and whether euthanasia is ever considered acceptable), among others.
The concept of owning a wild animal as a companion dates back thousands of years but has only become common in recent decades due largely to advances in technology and changes in social attitudes. While there are many different opinions on the ethics of keeping wild animals as pets—with some proponents arguing that it offers them greater protection from exploitation and extinction while others contend that it does nothing more than perpetuate their suffering—the practice continues to grow in popularity around the world.