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Interzoo Newsroom
Interzoo Daily, 25.05.2022: Pets make us happy
Society recognises the relevance of pets and it’s a subject that’s repeatedly popular with the media too. Consequently, it was no surprise that lots of journalists and members of the press flocked to yesterday’s Interzoo press conference. Norbert Holthenrich, president of the German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF), explained how important pets are for people’s wellbeing and resilience. He quoted a US study by Dr Jennifer Currin-McCulloch to prove the point: “In a survey of cat and dog owners during the Covid-19 pandemic, she found that animals served as companions during the lockdowns and really helped to decrease depression, anxiety, isolation and loneliness.” And he went on to say that the pandemic wasn’t the only time pets provided consolation and stability. “The images of refugees fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine with their children in their arms while carrying their pets also prove that animals have become family members, and not just in Germany,” commented Holthenrich.