Veterinarian in Society

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FORMATION OF THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

• People can become attached to any animal, whether domestic or wild. The strong attachments that people form with these animals are due to several factors including
• Domestication histories
• Anthropomorphism
• Neoteny
• Allelomimetic behaviours and
• Social support

Domestication histories

• Many species of animals have lived in association with humans for literally thousands of years. Dog is the oldest domesticated animal, having been domesticated at least 12,000 years ago.
• In thousands of years since their domestication, dogs have come to be bred and valued for both companionship and for various utilitarian functions.
• Cats have recently overtaken dogs as the most common and most popular companion animals. Cats were domesticated about 4000 years ago. Before and after domestication, cats served the utilitarian function of rodent control. During the Middle ages, cats became associated with witch craft and were considered to be the symbol of satan.

Anthropomorphism

• Attachments between species are more likely to form when each species is familiar with the communication systems of the other. Familiarity occurs when either the communication signals between two species are similar or when humans are very knowledgeable and well informed about the species – typical behaviours and communication signals of other species.
• When people anthropomorphize they give non-humans or objects human like characteristics and traits. Example : The dog eats when the family sat down for dinner. This showed that the dog was caring and gentle. Dog dancing like human.

Neoteny

• Babies of many species (even humans) possess physical features called “neotenic” or infantile characteristics. These characteristics make all young animals appear “cute” and elicit care-giving responses. Neotenic characteristics are common in puppies, kittens and other infant-animals.

Allelomimetic behaviours

• Many species of social animals who live in groups find it advantageous in some situation to mimic the behaviours of other group members. Example: Mimicking of human speech by some species of birds and the facial expression and physical gestures exhibited by some species of primates.

Social support

• Many animal owners eat, sleep and breathe together. Like human family members, pets and their owners live and relax in each others company. Example dog owners take animal along with them for daily exercise - walking and jogging. Also they play with toys