Many of us parents have other “babies” in our home…our pets! April 11th is National Pet Day, a day to celebrate our furry (or maybe scaly) friends. This day was started by Colleen Paige, an animal activist, in 2005 as a way to bring awareness to the number of pets in shelters that are in need of forever homes.
Having pets and children can be a challenge for sure; it’s harder to meet the needs of animals after you have babies and kids in the home. And our pets sometimes take a backseat to the whole “parenting and keeping your kids alive” gig. But I think there are many advantages for kids to grow up with pets in the home.
Anyone with a pet can attest to the adjustment period that happens after a baby enters the home. Sometimes it takes awhile for our dogs and cats to get used to the change, but once they do, it’s often so sweet to see how they love their new family member. As babies get older and become more mobile, it’s a nice way to teach “gentle hands” when interacting with pets. If you are thinking of expanding your family and purchasing a dog, here are some things to consider before getting a family dog.
As kids grow older, having pets is a great way to teach responsibility and contributing to the family. Kids can help feed pets or help with other pet-related tasks like letting them outside or taking walks. I think there is value in teaching children that’s it’s important to care for others, and this comes naturally when there are pets in your home.
And finally…is there anything cuter than babies and kids cuddling with furry friends? Let’s celebrate our pets and everything they bring to our families on April 11th!
If you are interested in adding a pet to your home, please consider adopting from a local organization. Both of our family dogs are both “mutts” and both are rescues; they are wonderful dogs who are amazing with babies and children. Columbus is home to many organizations that provide foster homes for animals, as well as many shelters. A few are linked below, but this is not an exhaustive list.
Animal Shelters and Adoption Centers in Columbus:
Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center
Use this link: Cause For Paws Ohio to see pictures and information about some pets available for adoption. The list is updated twice daily.
