Eager dogs from all over the North Channel area rush to break in the new water pond at the Gene Green Belyway 8 Park's newly opened Dog Park.
Hotels, parks, bakeries and more cater to canine clientele
By Kim Hogstrom
Updated: 04.05.10
A remarkable trend is developing across America and Houston is on top of the wave. We’ve become a country of pet lovers. Yes, yes, we know — most people like animals, but it’s gone well beyond that. Statistics report that the number of households with pets has grown dramatically in recent years, and we are spending much more on them.
According to the National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in 1988, 56 percent of all U.S. households owned a pet. In 2009, the APPA reported that 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet.
Today, 77 million dogs and 94 million cats live with Americans and more than half of these pet owners identify their pets as members of the family.
But perhaps the most telling statistic is this: In 2001, Americans spent about $28 million on their pets. In 2009, in the middle of a recession, the number jumped to $45 million.
On what? Food, veterinary care, supplies, grooming, daycare, spas and clothing. Yes, clothing, straight from the catwalk. And last year, five percent of American pet owners said they would purchase a casket for their pet when it crosses the “Rainbow Bridge.”
If American spending can be viewed as an indicator of the depth of love and commitment we have for our pets, we are on a trajectory that may soon rival our children.
And Houston is ground-zero for this growing trend. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently identified Houston as the most pet-friendly city in the nation, reporting that 50 percent of our hotels offer special “pet-stay packages.” The AAA also sited Houston for our many, many dog parks, and a growing number of restaurants willing to face a fine from the city for allowing Fido on the patio.
“Yes, we offer all kinds of amenities for our pet guests,” confirms Natalie Wiseman, Director of Sales for Hotel ZaZa.
“We offer water bowls, treats, special beds. There are no pet weight limits at the hotel and pets are welcome in any public space including the pool. The concierge will set up pet-sitting, grooming and spa services at anytime. We are a very pet-friendly hotel,” she concludes with a smile.
Another of Houston’s notable pet-related advantages is its many dog parks – 25 in all. The Houston Dog Park Association (HDPA) is an all-volunteer nonprofit agency dedicated to advocating for the creation of dog parks throughout our area. The agency has enjoyed great success.
In 2002, the HDPA was instrumental in opening Houston’s first dog park, the Millie Bush Bark Park. This particular park is recognized nationally as the finest in the nation.
“Dog parks encourage exercise for both dogs and humans,” explains Tiffany Moore, President of the HDPA,” and most of us can use that,” she said with a laugh.
“Dog parks also help dogs become better members of the community. A dog left alone in a yard all day will be less social, and bark more. Dogs who get socialization and exercise (in a park) make better neighbors. Also, communities throughout the area have recognized an increase in home values where dog parks have been created. We all win,” Moore concludes.
As wonderful as these new trends may be, we’re reminded by animal lovers that there’s a troubling underbelly to the domestication of pets — overpopulation. While dogs and cats are not wild animals and rely heavily on us for survival, their reproductive capabilities remain the same as their wild ancestors. And, unimpeded, that’s how they will behave.
“Houston has a huge problem with overpopulation,” states Dr. James Weedon. Weedon is a veterinarian, holds a master’s degree in public health and is the Executive Director of Houston’s Spay and Neuter Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Since this nonprofit agency’s inception in 1993, SNAP has performed free or low cost sterilization on more than 330,000 cats and dogs, sparing the birth of millions of unwanted pets, literally.
“There are many more pets than there are homes,” Weedon continued. “Shelters in the Houston area euthanize about 80,000 unwanted pets a year; about 229 a day. We cannot adopt our way out of this. We must get out in front of the problem and prevent these unwanted lives in the first place through spaying and neutering,” he stated.
Some may say, “They’re just pets. Who cares?” The answer is, many care deeply.
“More and more people are realizing that pets are living creatures, salient creatures with souls, with feelings,” explained Moore. “More people are seeing that animals feel pain, feel sadness, and feel joy. Once you know that, you just can’t turn away,” she said.
In dog we trust.
For more information about SNAP please go to http://www.snapus.org/
Hotels, parks, bakeries and more cater to canine clientele
By Kim Hogstrom
Updated: 04.05.10
A remarkable trend is developing across America and Houston is on top of the wave. We’ve become a country of pet lovers. Yes, yes, we know — most people like animals, but it’s gone well beyond that. Statistics report that the number of households with pets has grown dramatically in recent years, and we are spending much more on them.
According to the National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in 1988, 56 percent of all U.S. households owned a pet. In 2009, the APPA reported that 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet.
Today, 77 million dogs and 94 million cats live with Americans and more than half of these pet owners identify their pets as members of the family.
But perhaps the most telling statistic is this: In 2001, Americans spent about $28 million on their pets. In 2009, in the middle of a recession, the number jumped to $45 million.
On what? Food, veterinary care, supplies, grooming, daycare, spas and clothing. Yes, clothing, straight from the catwalk. And last year, five percent of American pet owners said they would purchase a casket for their pet when it crosses the “Rainbow Bridge.”
If American spending can be viewed as an indicator of the depth of love and commitment we have for our pets, we are on a trajectory that may soon rival our children.
And Houston is ground-zero for this growing trend. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently identified Houston as the most pet-friendly city in the nation, reporting that 50 percent of our hotels offer special “pet-stay packages.” The AAA also sited Houston for our many, many dog parks, and a growing number of restaurants willing to face a fine from the city for allowing Fido on the patio.
“Yes, we offer all kinds of amenities for our pet guests,” confirms Natalie Wiseman, Director of Sales for Hotel ZaZa.
“We offer water bowls, treats, special beds. There are no pet weight limits at the hotel and pets are welcome in any public space including the pool. The concierge will set up pet-sitting, grooming and spa services at anytime. We are a very pet-friendly hotel,” she concludes with a smile.
Another of Houston’s notable pet-related advantages is its many dog parks – 25 in all. The Houston Dog Park Association (HDPA) is an all-volunteer nonprofit agency dedicated to advocating for the creation of dog parks throughout our area. The agency has enjoyed great success.
In 2002, the HDPA was instrumental in opening Houston’s first dog park, the Millie Bush Bark Park. This particular park is recognized nationally as the finest in the nation.
“Dog parks encourage exercise for both dogs and humans,” explains Tiffany Moore, President of the HDPA,” and most of us can use that,” she said with a laugh.
“Dog parks also help dogs become better members of the community. A dog left alone in a yard all day will be less social, and bark more. Dogs who get socialization and exercise (in a park) make better neighbors. Also, communities throughout the area have recognized an increase in home values where dog parks have been created. We all win,” Moore concludes.
As wonderful as these new trends may be, we’re reminded by animal lovers that there’s a troubling underbelly to the domestication of pets — overpopulation. While dogs and cats are not wild animals and rely heavily on us for survival, their reproductive capabilities remain the same as their wild ancestors. And, unimpeded, that’s how they will behave.
“Houston has a huge problem with overpopulation,” states Dr. James Weedon. Weedon is a veterinarian, holds a master’s degree in public health and is the Executive Director of Houston’s Spay and Neuter Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Since this nonprofit agency’s inception in 1993, SNAP has performed free or low cost sterilization on more than 330,000 cats and dogs, sparing the birth of millions of unwanted pets, literally.
“There are many more pets than there are homes,” Weedon continued. “Shelters in the Houston area euthanize about 80,000 unwanted pets a year; about 229 a day. We cannot adopt our way out of this. We must get out in front of the problem and prevent these unwanted lives in the first place through spaying and neutering,” he stated.
Some may say, “They’re just pets. Who cares?” The answer is, many care deeply.
“More and more people are realizing that pets are living creatures, salient creatures with souls, with feelings,” explained Moore. “More people are seeing that animals feel pain, feel sadness, and feel joy. Once you know that, you just can’t turn away,” she said.
In dog we trust.
For more information about SNAP please go to http://www.snapus.org/
Courtesy of http://oregonpetguide.info/
No comments:
Post a Comment