According to this article in the San Diego Source, Spending On Pets Continues To Rise. Some interesting facts from the article:

- 59 percent of pet owners say their pets help them relax. Another 40 percent suggested that owning a dog makes them exercise more.

- A study at the State University of New York found that people who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) had lower readings after they adopted a dog or cat.

- Three-quarters of dog owners consider the pet as a child or family member, and half of all cat owners feel the same way.