Woof!Woof!

Celebrating National Pet Month

1st April – 6th May

Celebrating its 28th year, National Pet Month takes place 1st April – 6th May.
To take part and join thousands of people up and down the country celebrating life with their pets visit – www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk

SIX Reasons why we love our pets. . .

1 Stress relief
If you are feeling anxious or stressed and you need to relax, then pets are the perfect way to unwind.
2 The perfect exercise pal
A quick stroll around the block or a long run in the park is theperfect way to spend time with your pet and ensure they get the exercise they need.
3 Great for socialising
Owning a pet increases the amount of opportunities you have in life to socialise with other owners and pet lovers alike.
4 Great companions
A pet will offer you a wide range of health and life benefits as they affect our physical, social, emotional and cognitive state and well-being.
From the day you bring your pet home for the first time, to their later years in adult life, they really are great companions and a big part of our lives too.
5 Mood changers
There are many positive mental and emotional benefits to owning an animal, and it’s because of this that they are certainly mood changers. When we feel down, animals can perk us up again and even make as happier than how we would feel without them there in the first place.
Their amazing ability to do this makes the relationship and bond between owner and animal that extra bit special.
6 Can be left alone
Your cat isn’t going to resent you or be upset when you have to work all day. They can occupy themselves and don’t need to be let out to use the bathroom. No more worrying about rushing home at lunch or right after work to check on your cats. Chances are, they’re fine.

Humans have kept pets for thousands of years and research suggests that dogs arrived on the scene around 27,000 years ago. Our ancestors likely began keeping wolves for their hunting skills, which gradually led to the domestication and integration into civilization over time.

About half of the households in Britain alone include some kind of pet; roughly 10m of those are dogs while cats make up another 10m. Pets cost time and money, and nowadays bring little in the way of material benefits. But during the 2008 financial crisis, spending on pets remained almost unaffected, which suggests that for most owners pets are not a luxury but an integral and deeply
loved part of the family.
Dogs
Humans love their dogs in the same way as they love their children and the feeling is mutual, scientists have discovered.
Researchers found that the same hormone, oxytocin, spikes in both human and canine brains when a dogis gazing at its owner. Oxytocin is known to play a strong role in triggering feelings of unconditional love and protection when parents and children look into each other’s eyes or embrace.

Cats
Cats are believed to be from around 7,500 BC. The Egyptians, who held cats in the highest esteem, with severe penalties for injuring or killing one. They took their love of cats very seriously and
even worshiped a feline goddess called Bastet

Rabbits
The domesticated rabbit first reached Britain in the 12th century after years of selective breeding across Europe.
They originate from Spain where they were accidentally discovered in 1,200 BC. When the Romans occupied Spain in around 200 BC, they held the rabbit in high regard for its meat and fur.
Upon invading Britain in AD 43, their love for the humble rabbit followed.