Two-thirds of American households have pets: “New National Pet Owners Survey,” American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.
One-third of American households has children: “2005 American Community Survey,” US Census Bureau.
The American pet economy in 2006: MarketResearch.com, Packaged Facts report on Pet Travel & Convenience, May 2007.
The pet economy is resistant to recession: “Crazy for Their Pets, Americans Are on a Spending Spree,” News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, August 20, 2007.
One-third of women agree: Valentine’s Day Survey, January 2006, American Kennel Club.
Sharing beds with pets and buying gifts: “Pets Are ‘Members of the Family,'” Harris Interactive, The Harris Poll, December 2007.
Snoring pets: “Dog Tired? It Could Be Your Pooch,” ScienceDaily, Mayo Clinic research, 2002.
PetSmart CEO: “The Pet Economy,” BusinessWeek, August 2007.
Purebred dogs can be matched to their masters: “Do Dogs Resemble Their Owners?” Michael Roy and Nicholas Christenfeld, Department of Psychology, University of California-San Diego.
$24.5 billion on pet health care: “U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook,” American Veterinary Medical Association, December 2007.
Doggie anti-depressant: Reconcile, Eli Lilly & Co.
Doggie diet drug: Slentrol, Pfizer.
The obesity epidemic: Stop Canine Obesity campaign.
Urns for pet ashes: “New National Pet Owners Survey,” American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.
Oprah’s dogs: “Oprah’s Dogs Will Inherit Millions.” Denied by Angela DePaul, publicist, Harpo Industries.
Tori Spelling’s pug’s blog: “Confessions from a Canine Drama Queen,” Dogster.com.
Leona Helmsley’s will: “Last Will and Testament of Leona M. Helmsley.”
Mr. Winkle: MrWinkle.com.
Social networking for pets: Dogster.com, Catster.com.
Pam Anderson’s chihuahua: “The Bride Wore Fur,” Daily Record, August 2005.
Michael Jackson’s pet chimp Bubbles: “Biography of Bubbles,” Center for Great Apes.
Juicy Crittoure: Dog Pawfum, Juicy Couture.
Pet hotels: Waghotels.com.
Walt Disney World’s planned pet resort: “Best Friends to Build Luxury Pet Resort at Walt Disney World Resort,” Walt Disney World news.
Number of animal trainers rises sharply: “A Chorus of Dog Whisperers,” New York Times, December 2007.
The parrot that helps with anxiety attacks: “Sadie the Parrot, at Your Service,” Sarah Casey, Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, October 7, 2006.
The iPond: “iPond Gone, Gilly Heads for Brighter Days,” The Age, December 2007.
British prime minister’s office rejects backyard elephants: “EPetition Reply: Elephants for Pets,” Office of the Prime Minister.
Exotic pets imported: “Exotic Pet Trade Booming in U.S.,” Margaret Ebrahim, Associated Press, November 2006.
Getting high off the dried venom of toads: “Cops: More Smoke Toad Venom to Get High,” Associated Press, December 2007.
Tiger in NY apartment: “A Tiger’s Keeper Says He Misses His ‘Friend,'” New York Times, October 2003.
Presidents and their executive pets: Presidential Pet Museum.
Fashionable choices in dog collars: “About Dog Collars,” New York Times, April 27, 1884.
Pet pigeon fad: “Pet Pigeons, Latest Fad,” New York Times, 1907.
The birth of an urban alligator legend: “Alligator Found in Uptown Sewer,” New York Times, February 10, 1935.
Cocker spaniels, poodles as top dogs: “AKC Registration Statistics, Fact Sheet,” American Kennel Club.
Sea-monkeys: “What are Sea-Monkeys Anyway?“
Potbellied pigs: “Survey of Humane Organizations and Slaughter Plans Regarding Experiences with Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs,” Linda K. Lord, Thomas E. Wittum, Ohio State University.
Cocker spaniels once again top dog in 1983: “AKC Registration Statistics, Fact Sheet,” American Kennel Club.
Rottweilers in Russia: “Moscow’s Rich Flaunt Rottweilers,” Sara Koenig, New York Times, August 8, 1996.
Pet hedgehogs: “Hedgehogs Latest ‘Designer Pet,'” Shawne K. Wickham, Union Leader, April 1995.
Tamagotchi: Bandai.com.
Rudy Giuliani vs. ferret lovers: Giuliani responds to a caller on his radio show asking about the ferret ban.
Sugar gliders: SugarGlider.com.
Freeing Nemo: “‘Nemo’ fans net fish warning,” CNN.com, June 2003.
Monkeypox outbreak: “Control of communicable diseases; restriction on African rodents, prairie dogs, and certain other animals.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42 CFR Part 71.
Stag beetles: “Biological Invasion Caused by Commercialization of Stag Beetles in Japan,” Science Links Japan.
Toyger: Toygers.com.
Ratatouille: “Film Triggers Rat Craze in France,” BBC News, 2007.
