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Let pets steal your heart this Valentine's Day
9 February 2000
Why not spend Valentine's Day with your favourite companion, your pet?
With over 66 per cent of Australians owning a pet (1),
it's not surprising that many people include their favourite companion
in this special day of love and devotion.
After all, there's no reason why pets can't be included in Valentine's
Day activities - from a walk to the park for a picnic, a stroll along
the beach, or dinner at an outdoor cafe.
Some pet owners already include their pets in their February 14 celebrations
in other ways. They write Valentine poems dedicated to their furry and
feathered friends, make cards featuring them and buy special Valentine
Day treats. The real enthusiasts create web sites and send Valentine
messages to fellow pet lovers.
Ms Denise Humphries, Consultant Petcare Information and Advisory Service,
says that pets offer their owners reliability, loyalty and affection.
"Today's lifestyles are changing and many people are choosing to
be single or live alone. It is not surprising that people are turning
to pets for some of the characteristics they look for in a partner"
Ms Humphries said.
While pets can provide the love and affection you are looking for, they
may also help you find your two-legged Valentine. More than 58 per cent
of pet owners say they have met and made friends through having pets(2).
"Pets can act as a reason to talk to others and, therefore start
new friendships or relationships" Ms Humphries said.
If you are seeking the perfect companion in a pet, the match is made
easy with the use of a reliable and effective match making service,
Selectapet.
Selectapet is a computer program
developed by the Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS) that
provides information to help you select the right breed of pet.
Selectapet matches your lifestyle and living environment with various
cat and dog breeds. It then provides information about pet breeds suitable
to your needs and includes a photograph.
Selectapet can be accessed via the PIAS Internet site: www.petnet.com.au.
For more information on Selectapet call PIAS on 1800 331 783.
References:
1 Reark Research, "Pet Ownership Survey Program", 1996 -97
2 National People and Pets
Survey, 1995
MacCallum Research Pty Ltd in association with Hugh Mackay, "What
Australians feel about their pets" 1992