1. By Amy Barker

2. I was born and raised in the United States and have always owned a dog. Today, you will learn about how Americans treat their pets. Many Americans treat their pets as members of the family. This is my dog, Sam.

3. Americans really value their pets. You will see that when you think of the following: The Food that they eat Clothes and Toys that they have Health and Comfort that the family provides

4. Many pet owners buy their animals very expensive food. They want them to eat healthy foods, just like they do. Some pets need to have a special diet. Other owners like to feed their animals the same kind of food that they eat.

6. Some owners like to dress up their animals. They spend a lot of money on clothes and accessories. Pets need toys to play with and some pets have more toys than children do.

8. Americans care about their pet’s health. It is very expensive to take pets to the veterinarian and to get them groomed. For those who treat their pets like a member of the family, they want their pets to be happy and comfortable. Many people allow their pets to sleep in their bed. Overall, a pet’s health and comfort are just as important as a human being’s.

10. Americans spend a lot of money on their pets. Because their food, clothes, toys, health and comfort are all important, pet owners spend over $41 BILLION a year on their animals. Over 50% of pet owners consider and treat their pets like children. Please remember that this may not be true for all Americans, but it is very common for Americans to treat their pets this way.

11. Thank you for listening to my presentation. Are there any questions or comments?