I think in general there are two kinds of animal lovers. There are the Pet Parents and then there are Pet Owners. Most Pet Parents automatically know what I mean when I bring this up. This can be a touchy subject especially when trying to advertise your professional pet sitting business. Ideally we want to work with all Pet Parents. Occasionally there is a pet owner who seeks out our services in hopes we can do the necessary training, care, rehabilitation with little cost and expecting a complete turn around for their pet.
I'll admit myself as a kid we always had dogs and back then we were uneducated about pet care. We knew the basics. No fault of my parents. Back in the day, there wasn't the type of media coverage of pet care like today. But as a child, I always seemed to know how to put that extra effort in taking care of a pet or stray animal. So over the years from my personal experience, classes, mentors, etc, I've come to learn quite a lot and am a very proud Pet Parent. Now back then then as a child, I'd say my family and I were mainly Pet Owners with a touch of Pet Parent-ing. And mostly that was do to my love and care of animals. My dad always thought I was spoiling our dogs. Back then, yes but today it is the norm. Although today, I still go over and beyond the norm care but not to the point that I'll ever become a "Paris Hilton" pet parent. Although I do wish I had the money and space to provide so many things for my cats and dogs. 😻🐶 So what is a pet parent and a pet owner? In MHO: A Pet Owner is one who likes to own pets, mainly dogs and keep them as guard dogs. They live outside. Sometimes they have a dog house but mostly they do not. Sometimes they are kept on chains which I am completely against. They are fed outside. And with hardly any human interaction. Most of these pets do not go to the vet unless it's a dire emergency. Even then most times they are still left alone to bare with injuries, declining health, extreme weather. Not all pet owners are this extreme but all pets in a pet owner home have limited human interaction, limited vet care, limited food and water, limited/inadequate shelter and beddings. Some of these pets are most likely to have some kind of emotional or mental trauma unattended to. So they can be more aggressive or more fearful and not getting the adequate training and care they need. A Pet Parent basically adopts a pet and brings it into the family as a family member. Most live indoors but those who have outdoor space give them adequate outdoor housing with bedding and toys and water. They usually are fed indoors with rest of family. And inside some are allowed on furniture and some are not. But either way, they too have their own pet furniture to call their own. Their own toys, another feeding station with water, and most importantly lots of love and attention from their human family. Oh and most likely there will be more pets in the home to interact with each other and vet care is regular. Most of these pets are trained to some point and are very socialized. Those who are not socialized, who are adopted with unknown past or a traumatic past, these Pet Parents hire professional trainers to help with any fear, aggression, or any other emotional trauma they are still experiencing. They take all necessary steps they are able to, to help minimize the stress in the pets' life. This is a Pet Parent. While I understand there are animal lovers out there who take in animals but give the care of a Pet Owner more than a Pet Parent maybe due to financial restrictions or time or whatever, I urge these families who have pure loving intentions to seek help to care for their pets. There is always help available as the pet industry is grateful for families who can take in pets under their care and keeping them off the streets. Then there are those who have ill intentions of having pets. Those who use dogs for breeding purposes, dog fights, torture, etc. I urge these people to stay away from animals. Animal lovers and activists will always be around to catch you and rescue any animals in need. So are you a Pet Parent or Pet Owner?
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AuthorSelf employed with a pet sitting/dog walking business. Animal advocate. Energy healer, Reiki Master, Karuna Reiki Master, lover of Universe. ArchivesCategories |