America's Pampered Pets

Has our love affair with pets gone too far?

Introduction

Nearly six out of 10 U.S. households own a pet, and while cats and dogs are still the most popular animal companions, fish, reptiles and even more exotic creatures are increasingly common. Our love affair with pets is fueling a booming industry. Americans spent more than $9.3 billion last year just on food for Fluffy and Fido, and billions more on toys, grooming tools and myriad other pet accessories - from preservative-free pet food and organic flea treatments to carpet- covered gym sets for cats and plastic exercise ramps for gerbils. But there's a darker side to pet ownership. Animal shelters still euthanize millions of “throw-away” pets each year. Meanwhile, local officials are worried about controlling vicious dogs, banning ownership of more exotic animals and ...

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