European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 2, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                . Pets have a in hearts Homes mar icons have an extraordinary attachment to their pets. In nine out of every 10 households with animals a and most Homes have them a owners regard their pets As family members. They talk to them Reward them with Christmas presents birthday parties and a Home-c5oked meals allow them to sleep on farm by members Beds a and even carry their pets pictures in a Wallet or purse. To owners spend about two hours per Day to feed exercise and clean up after their pets and approximately $1,300 per year for their food health care toys and other expenses. These Are some of the principal findings of a Gallup poll Survey conducted this summer. The objective of this animal pct audit is to determine the attitudes and behaviour of pet owners and the general Public on a wide Range of topics on household animals. A Gallup polls about six in 10 american households 58 percent have pets today an increase from a 1956 Gallup Survey that found that 53 percent had pets. All told americans own about 170 million household animals of various species with dogs and cats the favourites. _ contrary to some beliefs the Survey shows dogs to be More numerous than cats. Four in 10 . Households have one or More dogs while 26 percent have one or More cats. In 1956,35 percent of households had dogs and 21 percent owned cats a. A. A a. In total numbers there Are 58 million pet dogs compared to 49 million cats. Next in order of popularity Are fish and Birds which Are found in 8 percent and 5 percent of households respectively. Hamsters rabbits mice snakes and Guinea pigs Are found in about 1 percent of Homes. Although the percentages related to pet ownership vary to some degree depending on income. Age and race a majority of nearly every population group owns household animals. The exception single member households of which Only one in three has a pet. This is primarily because of a Low percentage of dogs found in households of this size. Cats however occur in single member households at about the same percentage As in All other households. Most americans a those with pets and those without a Feci that pets play a positive role in Peoples lives. Sixty six percent of those asked be live that people with animals Lead a More satisfying life than those without them whereas Only 2 percent think pets detract from life. The remain ing 32 percent feel that while pets May not con tribute to a More satisfying life they have no neg alive effect. 1 most however would agree with a 22-Ycar-old woman from Oklahoma who says a pets just like to keep you company and make you feel  pet owners feel strongly about the Rote of animals As household members 88 percent say they consider their pet a member of the family. In fact owners tend to treat their pets almost like Chi Drin. Sixty five percent give their pets presents at Christmas and 24 percent celebrate pet birthdays a 17 percent Mark the event with presents Ora cake. Forty one percent of the pet owners have their pets picture prominently displayed in their Homes and 8 percent have it displayed at their place of work. Americans Reward Lhoir pets handsomely for their contribution to family life but also imply that they probably overdo it. Sixty two percent say they consider their pet spoiled. Many pets spend _ the night sleeping on a bed with some member of the family even if that Isnit the Way it was originally intended. American pets arc treated to a wide variety of almost human culinary delights. Twenty nine percent of dog owners prepare Home cooked meals for Lhoir dogs while 48 percent give their dogs special foods designed for their particular age such As Puppy food. And about one fourth feed their dog special dietary food such As foods Low in fat or Calcium. Cats Are not As fortunate. Only 13 percent of cat owners feed their pets hand prepared food 28 percent provide special food for older cats kit Lens Etc. One in five households prepare special dietary food for cats. Pets receive excellent health care in american households. Eighty six percent of dog owners have taken their dogs to the veterinarian in the Jast 12 months and half have taken it three or four times. In addition 43 percent of dog owners have sent their pet to the groomers at some Point with 14 percent having done it in the last year. Only 7 percent of cat owners however have Ever taken their Pels to an animal Barber Beauty shop. _ a a a a a. I i a a a a a. 1 los Angelos times Syndicate reigning cats and dogs do you do the following % answering yes give pet Christmas gifts 65% turn on to radio or phonograph when leaving 30% pet atone celebrate pet s birthday 24% keep pet s picture in Wallet 17% display pets picture at work a asked of 740 adults who own pets talk to the animals percent agreeing with the following statements a dog owners h cat owners i talk to my pet 50% most or Yinhe time 44% my pet senses when i am angry Happy depressed my pet tries to make me feel better when in a unhappy my pet senses when t am sick 93% 74% 73% 57% 64% v 53% asked of 740 adult Sypho own pets a a to / a amps Sharon Kinda dogs or cats which is no. 1? Quot a Quot wow do americans loyalties Divide Between the two most popular pets a i dogs and cats Al Al. A Gallup poll Survey asked 1,242 respondents this summer whether they considered themselves a More of a dog per Sony or a More of a cat person a regardless of whether they owned one or the other dogs won out Over cats by More than a 3-to-l margin 71 percent to 21 percent the Survey found there Are almost no differ. A fees Between a dog people and a cat people in terms of age education income or race a cat people Quot Are Only slightly More Likely than a dog people to be female a contrary to some popular stereotypes. _ on the other hand a cat people Quot do tend to be somewhat More favourably disposed toward _ pets a even non cats a than Are a dog  the former group is More Likely to have a pet or a desire to own one. In the Case of dogs and cats .44 percent of a dog people say they would like to have a cat while 73 percent of the a cat people say they a Likelio own a dog. The poll also found the average american dog is a Mutt named lady while the average american cat is a mixed Breed named baby s after mixed Breeds the most common dogs a a in the United states Are German shepherds Labrador retrievers poodles Cocker spaniels beagles dachshunds and chows v the most frequent Breed of cat in an american household is a mix or a Valley  siamese s the second most frequently encountered Breed and him Al ayans and persians Are tied. Other popular a Breeds Quot include Calico and Tabby.  december 11990 sunday to plus Page 15