Did you know that about 80 million homes in America have at least one pet? And of those households, over half have more than one pet (National Pet Month, 1). Pets are only increasing in popularity as people continue to seek comfort and joy in their everyday lives. In honor of our pets, the month of April is officially National Pet Month! Take time to boast about the animal in your family. Don’t be afraid to share cute pet pictures on your social media account, and be sure to spoil your pet a little more this month.
If you currently do not have a pet to boast about don’t worry! We have some suggestions on what type of pet best suits your lifestyle and personality. Dogs and cats tend to get all of the credit this month, but there are plenty of other pets to consider. Whether you are looking for a companion animal, working animal, or show animal, there are truly pets for any type of need!
When taking on the responsibility of owning a pet, you must be willing to commit time, energy, and effort in providing your pet with a good home. Find out how much time each family member can devote to the pet, figure out who will pay for all of the expenses that are involved, and discuss each family member’s responsibilities. At least one person in your family will need to handle each of the following tasks: feeding, grooming, exercising, and training. If you are able to delegate a family member to each of the following responsibilities then you can move on to selecting the animal that fits your personality and needs.
One of the primary considerations in your pet choice is determining whether you are looking for a show animal, a worker animal, or a companion.
Companion Animals – These animals may stay indoors at all times, spend time outside, or even go with you on trips or outings. Dogs and cats are the most common types of companion animals, but they are not the only options. They can range from fish, reptiles, rodents, to even birds. Companion animals are as varied as their owners’ personalities but make great pets. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find small animal supplies, dog supplies, and cat supplies to make sure your companion is happy, healthy, and comfortable.
Working Animals – Every type of animal is smart and skilled in their own way. Domestic and wild animals alike have made it through a long journey to get to where we are today, and this wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t adapt and rely on their skills. However, some animals have a remarkable skill set that allows them to become a worker with proper training. Working animals are kept for the purposes of guiding the blind, herding sheep, or hunting. These specialized skills are rare which is why your options for finding a working animal are much narrower than your options for finding a companion animal.
Show Animals – Show animals require more care than any other animal. If you’re considering purchasing a pig, cow, horse, rabbit, etc., you should be prepared for a major commitment. You are going to spend a great deal of time training, grooming, and caring for your show animal. The rewards of owning such an animal are numerous, but so are the costs and responsibilities. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find livestock feed, livestock grooming supplies, livestock feeding equipment, poultry supplies, halter ropes, show sticks, and horse care and tack.
Here is a list of all the different types of pets you can consider.
House Pets: Indoor/outdoor
Small Pets: Mammals and Rodents
Outdoor Pets
Aquarium Animals
Birds – Avian Animals
