You’ve had a hard day. You turn the key in the lock and your pet companion is there to greet you.

Life events may have left you feeling low, tired, anxious or alone. Then that familiar touch of a paw or muzzle and your world seems just that little bit brighter.

Perhaps a pet deposits their favourite toy at your feet or reminds you it’s time to take a break, go for a walk or their familiar meow reminds you it’s nearly time for tea.

As pet owners, many of us can relate to these statements.

How often have you experienced one of those moments when a pet seems to be in exactly the right place at the right time? Or how their actions can lift you out of the doldrums and raise a smile?    

Companionship. Our pets offer it in bucket loads.

Latest research prepared for NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) by Kantar, reveals it’s the leading motivation for becoming a pet owner.

From 1,510 pet owners surveyed this year, 92% of cat and dog owners agree “pets are part of the family”, with 89% agreeing that “pets are a big commitment, but it’s worth it”.

Eighty one per cent of owners believe their pet supports both their mental and physical health, with 85% of dog owners agreeing that their pet keeps them active.

Companionship is one of the five key welfare needs which we’ve been focusing on heavily this National Pet Month.

This week our livestream talked about the incredible human/animal bond and why it’s so important for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our animal companions.

Check it out here
 

What does companionship mean to you and your pet?

We’d love to hear your stories.

Record a 30 second video of you and your pet or send us a message on our social channels, using the hashtags #NPM22 and #PetPawsitivity

National Pet Month: April 1-May 2