Profile America — Wednesday, May 6th. This is a time to recognize those nonhuman friends who add a special dimension to our lives — it’s Be Kind to Animals Week, and also National Pet Week. While most pets are a source of companionship, many dogs provide protection and act as eyes for the blind, as well as helping other disabled owners. And it’s said that while dogs have owners, cats have staff. Dogs are found in well over one-third of U.S. homes, cats in slightly less than one-third. Those favoring cats usually have more of them. Our dogs number 72 million and cats 82 million. The bill for feeding all these animals is close to $11 billion a year.

You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 251, 252
2002 Economic Census, NAICS 311111
http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/data/industry/E311111.HTM
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1201
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html