Cats Versus Dogs

Cats and dogs are believed to be the world's most popular pets, followed by fish and birds.  Rats, hamsters, gerbils and snakes don't figure nearly so high on the popularity charts and poor little stick insects are left way behind.

The popularity of cats and dogs can be attributed to the fact that they are companion animals, often very cuddly and huggable. They can adapt themselves to family life without any major difficulties.

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Currently, there are believed to be 400 million dogs worldwide and 600 million cats.

Expensive for rescue centres

Writing in the Los Angeles Times (Sep. 3, 2009) Lindsay Barnett reports that a single day's statistics for one shelter were illuminating. On the day of her visit, the shelter placed nine dogs and two cats into permanent homes.  But they accepted 32 dogs and five cats for possible re-homing. It doesn't take a mathematician to work out the deficit.

The shelter is typical of many worldwide, where far more animals are being handed in, or dumped on the doorstep, than are eventually available for adoption. This can prove very expensive for the rescue centres, most of which are charitable organisations, with no national funding. The advice those who run such shelters give to anyone thinking of bringing a new pet into the family is to adopt an animal that is needy and make sure any existing pets approve of the newcomer.

Donations always welcome

Most rescue centres have their new arrivals spayed or neutered. If this has not been done by the time the animal is adopted, it is vitally important to have the matter attended to without delay to avoid bringing more unwanted animals into the world. At the Los Angeles centre (as at most centres worldwide), donations are always welcome... beds, blankets, collars, leads, litter boxes, toys, balls and so on.

All shapes and sizes

Currently, there are believed to be 140 dog breeds worldwide, 36 cat breeds as well as many mixes and crossbreeds.  Dogs come in all shapes and sizes from the tiniest little pooch, small enough to sit in a teacup, to the huge donkey-sized hound that will eat you out of house and home.  Feeding, accommodating and possibly insuring a large dog can be very expensive... and that is without even considering vet's bills for vaccinations and ongoing welfare.

Cats don't have the same extremes in terms of their size and structure, but their upkeep still needs to be taken into account in terms of the family income and expenditure. 

In both cats and dogs, crossbreeds are often healthier and live longer than pedigrees. They can be just as beautiful, affectionate and intelligent as their more classy counterparts.

A lifetime commitment

Families or individuals considering adopting an animal should ensure that the chosen pet suits their lifestyle.  A family dog or cat must be friendly towards children and not be worried by the noise or chaos children can cause.  Small children must be taught to respect the new arrival. Some rescue centres will not allow their animals to go to homes containing pre-school children.  Others will not allow them to go where people are out working all day.

They cannot stress too strongly that taking on a pet is a lifetime commitment.

Cats Versus Dogs

Jeff Canaan is a freelance writer and blogger who writes extensively about pets, cats versus dogs and other cat and dog related topics.

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