INDUSTRY: WHEN CHILDREN WANT A PET

-Words Bob Croucher

THERE COMES a time in a child’s life when they ask their parents for a pet. For most animals they will go to a pet shop or breeder.

Research has shown that children who grow up with pets are likely to have better nurturing skills as adults and are perhaps even higher achievers in life.

Of course, if a younger child comes to the shop, it should be explained that the decision to add a pet to the family should be discussed with all household members, as the pet will be an addition to the family.

The pleasure of ownership will be shared by all family members, but with the pleasure comes the responsibilities. You would also explain that a parent or carer would need to come to the shop so that you can be sure the rest of the family are agreeable to having a pet in the house.

Depending on the age of the child they cannot be wholly responsible for the care and wellbeing of the animal. An adult family member must also be prepared to accept the responsibility and oversee the child’s feeding, cleaning, training, and interacting with the pet.

The choice of a pet is important, dogs may be more suitable for families where someone is home for most of the day, cats are more independent and go better with time spent alone, remember that animals also require companionship, and two animals will be company for each other in your absence as well as providing double the fun.

– Bob Croucher

Rabbits and guinea pigs can be cheap to keep although initially their housing may be more expensive than that required for a cat or dog. Birds, particularly budgerigars, can be cheap to purchase and easy to keep.

A benefit of pet ownership to children is the wonderful companionship they can provide. All children and pets seem to spend a great deal of time deep in conversation.

Pets also teach responsibility and although the children themselves may not be able to provide the primary care for the animal, they will by observation learn that responsibility. You should learn that when the pet is added to the household it is a permanent member, one that’s needs and wants must be provided for, and not a disposable item to be discarded when it’s needs become inconvenient.

Life’s lessons of birth and death can also be taught from pet ownership, although before allowing the pet to reproduce the family should be prepared to accept responsibility for finding good and caring homes for the prodigy. If a dog, cat, rabbit, or guinea pig is not intended for breeding then speak to your local vet about desexing.

– Bob Croucher

Children should be taught that animals are not just toys, and that the animal has emotions and needs. When a new puppy or kitten is brought home, children are very often anxious to play with it, but like human babies, young puppies and kittens spend the majority of their time sleeping. Short bursts of play interspersed with eating and sleeping are necessary. If a puppy or kitten is not allowed to sleep when it needs to, it will quickly become annoyed or frightened of the children.

The animal should have a quiet area where it can go to rest and the children should be taught that when it goes there it must be left alone.

Very young children should not carry animals as a squirming animal is very likely to be dropped and injured severely. Young children may also injure birds by holding them too tightly and playing with dogs should be supervised until the dog and child are confident with each other and know how to play together. Cats are much more able to escape from the unwanted attention of children.

After the child requests a pet for a birthday, the purchase should not be hurried. If the choice is a dog or cat the animal may be your child’s best friend for up to 15 years. If the choice is a parrot, it may see your grandchildren born, rather buy a book on the breed or species and then pet accessories with theanimal to follow later.

For the retailer, in your conversation, enquire ifthey have considered an animal from a shelter, I havenever lost a sale by that conversation. While you arepreparing the paperwork suggest they go and have acoffee (shout them if you feel comfortable about that)and talk between themselves. This way you are mostlikely to ensure the animal will go to a good home.