April 11 is National Pet Day, a holiday established in 2006 to encourage pet adoption and just take some time to appreciate how much happiness pets can bring. Having a fuzzy, feathery, or scaly friend to greet you every morning and scream (volume may vary) for food is a singularly joyful experience not easily replicated. According to an article published by the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, studies have suggested that pet parenthood can do more good than the joy it brings about. Owning a pet and having frequent animal interactions has been shown to decrease stress and blood pressure, provide social and emotional support, help owners stay in shape, and increase empathy.
On this greatest of holidays, make sure you give your pet some extra love and treats (mostly treats) in thanks for all the love and messes they’ve given you. If you’re looking to adopt, Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming holds weekly adoption events, and the Humane Society of North Central Florida has a shelter in Gainesville. If you’ve got a little human, we especially highlight the Read with a Dog program where children can practice reading out loud to a volunteer therapy dog at one of our library branches.
Say you, for some unimaginable reason, would rather look at their cute faces from afar and without the litter boxes, heat lamps, squawking, squeaking, and disemboweled stuffed animals. If that’s the case, or if you really just can’t get enough of your own pets, we invite you to live vicariously through pictures of the beloved little beasties us library staff have invited into our own homes.
Check out a photo gallery of ACLD Staff pets and help us to celebrate all our furry and feathered friends.
