Dr. Katherine Grier, Professor of History, University of Delaware and author of Pets in America: A History
Pet keeping occurs all over the world, in large and small societies, and has been practiced throughout history. European colonists brought animals to the New World as pets and soon made some local wild animals into pets. By the 1820s, pet keeping was regarded as an important part of happy family life and a way for children to learn “habits of kindness” to everyone. Letters, photographs, print media and artifacts all tell the story of the evolving American love affair with pets, including its growing importance to children. Today, over 65 percent of American households (about 85 million families) include pets.
Included with museum admission
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