We Baby Boomers are the driving force in the growth of spending on pets, reports Dillon Media. That industry now totals about $50 billion annually.
But, there's reason for caution before becoming a new Pet Parent or increasing the size of our household.
One factor is that, in this volatile marketplace for work, pets could limit our mobility. Nine years ago, because I had a dog and several cats, I didn't consider lucrative opportunities in executive communications in the Middle East or even Germany. The animals were aging and I sensed their immune system would balk in such surroundings.
The other factor is that we are at the age that we can expect sudden death. Here in the senior citizen complex where I live residents in the 50s do die. If they don't have people in their lives who will take care of their animal companions the fate of those animals are uncertain. They could be put to sleep, brought to a shelter, or wind up on the street as they bolt out of the apartment in panic.
Those of us who want the companionship of animals can volunteer at a humane society.
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