Cats and Dogs​—And You

Not all adults consider the consequences of accepting another “member” into the family. They do not always foresee the inconveniences and responsibilities that a pet can bring. This may especially be true of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who lead such busy lives in their Christian ministry and are often away attending meetings and Christian conventions. Then the problem of finding someone to care for the pet arises. Certainly, it would not be appropriate to miss Christian activities because of an overly sentimental attachment to animals.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

Today, when many husbands and wives are out all day at their secular work, lonely cats and dogs in city apartments are a growing problem. For example, one woman went to a vet to have her cat put to sleep because it had been acting strangely. When the vet discovered that the cat had been shut up in an apartment many hours a day, he concluded that this was the probable cause of the behavior. Even though cats tend to lead placid lives, they still need contact with their human “family.” Other animals have suffered when locked in a vehicle without adequate ventilation.

[Picture on page 19]

A kitten is a delight, but kissing it is unhygienic

Hence, anyone who really wants a pet should consider whether he is willing to make the daily sacrifices necessary for a healthy pet. Does he have the facilities for proper care and attention? And remember, animals eat and big animals eat a lot! That can make quite a dent in your pocketbook​—yet another factor to take into account. Animals do get sick, and medical costs may take you by surprise.

Another factor is hygiene. The tongue of many animals is also their washcloth, which they use for all parts of their body! While animals are equipped to handle the germs that they ingest, children may not be. So do not encourage your child to kiss an animal. Even allowing an animal to lick your child’s face and hands may expose the child to health problems, possibly including worms. When it happens, washing with soap and water at once may prevent infection. Pets should have their own feeding dishes and should not be allowed to lick plates used by humans. Animals can bring fleas and other “undesirables” into the home.