Pet Nation
Mark Cushing
Avery Publisher
Sept 21st, 2021
Pet Nation by Mark Cushing tells the inside story on how pets are affecting Americans homes, culture, and the economy. Some of the best chapters are Chapter 4: “The Secret to Pet Nation,” the human-animal bond; Chapter 6: “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” the legal and political fights; and Chapter 7: “Pet Health Care Will Never Be the Same.”
It delves into why Americans view their pets as members of the family. Pet Nation tells the story of this seismic shift and the economic, media, legal, political, and social dramas springing from this cultural transformation. People might have heard that as the pandemic lockdowns occurred many got a furry companion to provide solace, exercise, and even spiritual sustenance.
Because Cushing has worked in the pet field for several years his insight has been invaluable, including as the founding partner and CEO of the Animal Policy Group. It is based in Scottsdale, Portland, and Los Angeles. The wide range of issues dealt with are pet health, animal welfare and veterinary educational interests.
Being a dog person myself, the most enjoyable line in the book is “Dogs are knitting society together.” Readers understand how pets provide friendship, diversion, and amusement, that help their owners put a smile on their faces.
This book is truthful, witty, smart, entertaining, and enlightening. It is about Americans’ love affair with their pets, and how they have seeped into the owners’ hearts, mind, and decisions.
Elise Cooper: Do you consider yourself a pet advocate?
Mark Cushing: Yes. I am a lawyer who deals with health care, the animal welfare world, and the economic world relating to pets. I advocate for expansion of health care to remove barriers to owning pets. How legal, cultural, political, and social issues are triggered.
EC: Still pets are not humans?
MC: One issue I am concerned about is how some people want to transfer people’s rights to pets. I do talk about this. The problem with this issue is how the number of pets will be significantly reduced and will dramatically raise the cost of pet health care as well as other pet products. Ultimately, it will be a negative result.
EC: In the book you talk about pets being considered property.
MC: For over a thousand years, we follow the English Common Law where pets are deemed to be personal property. All but one state, Louisiana, follows the English Common Law. It does not matter if a state is red or blue, they will not reject this law, and I will be part of the group that encourages the law not to change. Otherwise, negative consequences including higher cost will flow from it.
EC: But sometimes animals are mistreated like what happened to the dogs in Afghanistan. The Biden Administration had its embassy staff members leave their beloved pets behind as they fled the country, and the American Humane Society president and CEO Robin Ganzert claimed US military contract working dogs were left behind “to be tortured and killed at the hands of our enemies.”
MC: I do not favor or condone leaving dogs in Afghanistan. It had to do with the indifference of the decision makers toward these dogs. For the life of me, I cannot understand how they would not have been enormously grateful for these dogs. This was not a good day.
EC: What would you consider one of the most dramatic changes in Pet Nation?
MC: The desire of Americans to take their dogs into public places outside their homes. They are now allowed in places they have never been allowed before: hospitals have animal assisted therapy dogs, hotels have rooms reserved for those who bring their pets, and restaurants with outside seating. I think in the next thirty years boundaries will be tested further such as planes, inside restaurants, and in the work force. The work environment will become more pet friendly to convince millennials to come back into the office. Pet owner’s primary objective is they do not want to leave their pet.
EC: You also talk about celebrity pets. Your favorite?
MC: My favorite was Lassie and the dogs and cat in “Homeward Bound.” TV and movie pets are a powerful factor that changed how people saw pets such as Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. Every Sunday night millions of Americans saw Lassie do amazing things. She was friendly and considered part of the family. These animals had appeal and power. The media triggered a cultural shift. Now with smart phones people can show off their pets.
EC: You also speak of dogs used with prisoners. I know about that because best-selling author, Serena B. Miller, put it in her novel?
MC: Some are trying to create a more humanistic, empathetic, and kind person that is in a very rough setting, a prison. After they get out, they can have a profession. Since they have nothing but time on their hands, they can enjoy the benefits of a human/animal bond. It is a proven medical fact when people are around pets the oxytocin levels goes up. It is the source of happiness and calmness. Also, their serotonin levels go down. It is the source of anxiety and tension.
EC: There is a chapter on dog health care?
MC: Currently, 80% of veterinarian students are female. For a long time, vets were 90% male. Now 60% of vets are female. There is also a hospice for animals, Lap of Love is one organization. I talk about pet insurance where only 4% of pets are covered, but the number is growing considering it was only 1% ten years ago.
EC: What do you want readers to get out of the book?
MC: Pets make people feel better. They exercise more, are healthier, in a better mood, and feel their life is more enriched. Pets build stronger neighborhoods and break down barriers. I know because I have pets, 2 cats and a dog.
THANK YOU!!
