The companion animal's place in the home spans all social and economic levels and is widespread throughout all cultures. While domestication of animals began by some estimates over 20,000 years ago with the dog, the domestication of most companion animals is a relatively recent phenomenon, occurring in the past several thousand years. In this century, the social and economic value of companion animals has resulted in a redefinement of the human animal and our interaction with the natural world. Today , companion animals have an unprecedented role in the lives of millions of people in the United States. Companion birds and reptiles are the most rapidly growing area of pet ownership.
People simply love their animals.
Interaction with companion animals involves talking, touching, and care giving. People believe that their companion animal is a part of their family. While these attitudes were once considered outside the norm, it is now recognized that these feelings are common. Many people think of companion animals as their children. Pets generate a feeling of well-being, a feeling of being loved.