Economic downturn sinks to new lows

As the sinking economy drives more people out of their homes, non-human household members are suffering as well, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. Some shelters are seeing an increase in animals received due to their owners' displacement. The owners either turn in their pets, or, more worryingly, leave them in the abandoned house or set them loose.

Also, shelters are receiving dogs, cats, and even horses, that owners can simply no longer afford to take care of. "We've had a lot of children in tears," said one shelter employee.

This trend, which can be expected to sharpen as the economic downturn drags more people into hardship, is especially painful coupled with another trend that sees pets taking an increasingly explicit role as members of the household. The pet industry is expanding substantially along with demand for luxury pet products, and traditional pet names are being replaced with popular human names.

"It's a reflection of the position that pets hold in a household," anthropologist Mary Thurston told USA Today. "They are integral members of the family, just like a child."

Moreover, pets may assuage feelings of loneliness in addition to boosting well-being.

Anthropomorphizing "pets, gadgets, or gods," can help people cope with loneliness and alienation. The presence even of a robotic dog can help lonely nursing home residents. Perhaps more concretely, the British Medical Journal published research in 2005 suggesting that "pet ownership is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, lower use of family doctor services, and a reduced risk of asthma and allergies in young children."


"It's an interesting contrast that, in a country where there's still child neglect and child abuse, people are spending so much time and effort on dogs," said psychologist and author Eleanora Woloy.

"It speaks to so many people's needs that they want a warm, comforting presence and companion."