Pet Friendly License Plates for Illinois and Missouri - Proceeds from the sale of Pet Friendly License Plates go to a fund to provide money for spaying and neutering Illinois companion animals.
Illinois: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/specialty_plates/petfriendly.html
Missouri:
http://www.mostatehumane.org/
These are basic fun facts about the cats and dogs. All statistics are as of March, 2006 unless noted. Source: 1998-2006 American Pet Association Polls
Poll taken of 19,211 pet owners in February 2005 Error +- 3%
There are 44,892,454 dog owners in the United States, who own a total of 62,995,801 million dogs, and there are 76,954,111 million cats for a total of 139,949,912 pets.
Of the 106.4 million households in the U.S., 33.6 million have at least one cat as a pet.
The following statistics exemplify pet owners feelings towards their pets.
31,507,457 dog owners purchase Christmas gifts for their dogs.
39,754,847 cats receive Christmas gifts from their owners.
13,498,254 cats have their birthdays celebrated.
9,849,021 dog owners celebrate their dogs' birthdays in the following ways;
| Give dog a special treat | 4,567,598 |
| Make dog a special meal | 1,978,636 |
| Give dog a cake | 1,850,665 |
| Give dog a new toy | 1,801,445 |
| Give dog ice cream | 1,102,524 |
| Give dog a new bone | 964,708 |
| Sing or wish dog happy birthday | 698,921 |
| Give dog a party with other dogs or pets | 659,545 |
| Take dog to favorite place | 393,758 |
| Take Photographs | 216,567 |
More than half of American dog owners are more attached to their pets than to at least one other human being. The following numbers represent those who say they are as attached to their dogs as to the following persons;
A) Best Friend 16,213,555
B) Children 8,321,566
C) Spouse 5,421,959
39% of America's pet owners display their pet's picture in their home.
16% of America's pet owners keep a picture of their pet in their wallet or purse.
American dogs sleep in the following places;
| On Top Of The Bed | 10,100,000 |
| In a Dog House | 8,635,500 |
| On The Floor | 7,524,500 |
| In a Dog Bed | 7,322,500 |
| Outside In The Garage :( | 6,413,500 |
| In Their Owner's Bed | 1,262,500 |
67% of America's cats are allowed to sleep on their owner's bed or anywhere they want.
More than half of America's dogs can perform at least one trick (25,300,500).
America's dog and cat owners say they acquired their pets for the following reasons;
| Reason for Ownership | Dogs | Cats |
| Someone To Play With | 90% | 93% |
| Companionship | 83% | 84% |
| Help Children Learn | 82% | 78% |
| Someone To Communicate With | 57% | 62% |
| Security | 79% | 51% |
NOTE: These numbers add up to more than 100% showing that people must have a pet for more than one reason.
Pet Safety:
Cause of Death | Lifetime Odds of Dying* |
Car crash | 1 in 242 |
Drowning | 1 in 1,028 |
Plane crash | 1 in 4,608 |
Lightning strike | 1 in 71,501 |
Bitten by dog | 1 in 137,694 |
Venomous spider bite | 1 in 716,010 |
*for someone born in 2000
Source: National Safety Council |
2007-2008 US Pet Ownership Statistics