The year is 2025, and it’s time for walkies. You ask the kids to fetch Michelangelo, a Golli (Golden Retriever and Collie cross), from the pooch chill-out zone (equipped with a fan – providing that out-of-the-driverless-car-window breeze – an automated feeder, and a surround-sound entertainment system playing re-runs of One Man and His Dog) and place him on the astro-lined treadmill.
Setting the timer to 45 minutes, you and the family watch, captivated, as Michelangelo is put through his paces, before delivering him to your neighbours for the rest of the day – part of the popular borrowmydoggy.com share scheme. Or will Michelangelo be a robot? “Our need to anthropomorphise – which is what pet ownership is entirely about – may mean a large-scale switch to mechanical animals very soon,” says top futurologist Ray Hammond.
Pet ownership – a rising trend
Is this futuristic picture likely? Despite the rise in cat-petting cafes, animal-share businesses and Hammond’s outlook, the future of how pets are owned is unlikely to change much in the next few decades, perhaps especially now as more people work from home and can tend better to their daily needs.
Indeed, the trend for pet ownership has steadily increased over the past decades, with some 46% of UK households owning a total of 65 million pets in 2014, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. And 17% of owners trust their furry friend more than their spouse. Meow!
The health benefits for adults – lower blood pressure, companionship – of owning a pet are well documented, but what about for families in particular?
A spokesperson for the Dogs Trust says: “Owning a pet as a family can be extremely rewarding. Dogs can act as companions for children and help with their socialisation from a young age as a childhood dog is often included in their adventures.
“Pets can also provide children with a sense of responsibility as they can get involved with their daily care. It can also mean that children are often more physically active, which can help with health-related issues.”
The internet: a new lead for pet owners
It may be that the digital age is making owning pets easier. After all, thanks to microchips and pet passports your furry friends can join you on family holidays all over the world, and a quick web search can find you a local walker or cat-sitter when you need one.
An RSPCA spokesperson says: “Pets and people have lived happily side by side for thousands of years, and whether it’s 25 or 250 years into the future we hope that people continue to find fulfilment in the joys of owning a pet.”
It seems walkies – whether on a treadmill or in the park – will be a part of family life for many years to come.
Always consult a financial adviser before taking advice. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Sainsbury’s Bank.
Sainsbury’s Bank pet insurance helps with vets’ fees at home or abroad. Depending on the level of cover you choose, complimentary treatment, physiotherapy and even behavioural problems can be included. You could also get help if you need to advertise to get a lost pet back. You can start a policy if your cat or dog is over eight weeks old but hasn’t yet reached its ninth birthday. Cover continues up to any age so long as you renew the existing policy. Sainsbury’s Bank pet insurance is provided by Allianz Insurance plc. Terms and conditions apply.
