Happy Human-Animal Bond Day
The human-animal bond is powerful, creating happy pets, healthy people, and thriving communities. But what does it take to sustain and strengthen this vital connection?
Human-Animal Bond Day - November 8th 2024
Today, the 8th November is officially International Human-Animal Bond (HAB) Day which really excites me to see the HAB achieving this status of a day all to itself! For me, as a Social Hearted Vet, every day is Human-Animal Bond Day.
The Human-Animal Bond has become my purpose, the centre of my world and the reason I get out of bed each day. I am driven by our mission: to ensure that the benefits of healthy companion animals and a thriving Human-Animal Bond are accessible to everyone.
What I’ve seen over the past three decades
Over the past three decades we have seen a deepening of the HAB and its significance in our society. Pets matter more now than they ever have. Today, over 70% of Australians share their lives with a cherished pet. We’ve seen dogs move from backyard kennels to the lounge room, then to the foot of the bed, and now even under the covers! Cats, once free to roam, now live largely indoors or in enclosures, placing the responsibility on us to ensure they can express natural behaviours, like scratching trees, for their wellbeing. An entire industry has emerged to design and provide indoor enrichment for cats. And when their needs are not met, they literally become ill with a range of known conditions related to stress.
We love our pets. And it is our connection to them that sparks joy and creates a wonderful (sometimes we say magical) boost to our health and wellbeing. Humans experiencing vulnerability are the ones who stand to benefit the most from a healthy HAB. And for the bond to thrive we need to keep our pets healthy, well and together with their humans. Equally important is ensuring that people have the knowledge and awareness of their responsibilities as animal custodians — and the capacity to commit for the long haul.
With social isolation, loneliness and mental illness at levels never seen before, and an intensification of the HAB - the role of companion pets in human health and wellbeing has never mattered more.
Can you imagine a world without pets? For most of us, it’s unimaginable — they are woven deeply into the fabric of our society and are everywhere we look.
Pets frequently appear in marketing, especially in fields like aged care. I remember hearing Simon Griffiths, founder of Who Gives A Crap, share his top marketing tips, with “include pet photos” as his number one! As a society, we’re captivated by pets, and the most popular reels and social media posts are filled with adorable images of dogs and cats of all ages, reflecting our shared obsession.
The Human-Animal Bond is big business.
Australians spend billions on their pets each year, with the pet industry thriving on products and services that cater to this special connection. From designer beds and clothing to a wide variety of toys, much of what we buy is as much for our enjoyment as it is for their comfort. While our pets certainly benefit, many of these items are designed to fulfil our own desire to pamper, indulge, and celebrate the animals we love.
The Serious Side of the HAB
Lets celebrate the power of the Human-Animal Bond to transform lives and build connected communities. This is the “why” behind my work with Cherished Pets and our HAB-centred services. But, while we focus on the benefits of this bond for humans, it’s essential we also consider the animals involved.
The HAB is, after all, a bond between BOTH humans and animals — yet I often witness a one-sided, anthropocentric view. Do pets really want to be dressed in costumes and clothing? Are we making the best choices and considering animals, people and the environment, around our cherished pets? Do they enjoy going to noisy events like music festivals, pubs and markets? Marketed as pet-friendly events, I often cringe when I observe so many dogs literally freaking out by the experience.
In order to honour the HAB, we need to respect both humans and animals. Humans need to rise to their responsibility and duty to allow our pets to be the animals they are intended to be. I know the balance is there.
By educating ourselves and others on the transformative power of the HAB, we can ensure that all individuals, especially those facing vulnerability, have the support they need to keep their pets — and the bond — thriving.
Together, we can build a community where everyone benefits from the wellbeing, comfort, and joy that pets bring into our lives.
Cherished Pets Foundation provides veterinary and social services to vulnerable people and their cherished pets. To sustain these essential services, we’re seeking regular monthly contributions to provide the stability we need to plan with confidence and ensure that beloved companions can stay right where they belong — with their families.
Your support is a lifeline for people in need and the pets who love them. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Make a donation here
We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we are gathered and pay respects to elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their continuing connection to the land, waterways, and community and acknowledge that this land was never ceded.
As an organisation that values the human-animal bond, we endeavour to learn from, and incorporate Indigenous way of knowing and the idea of oneness into our practice, in order to benefit both the land on which we live and all beings residing upon it.