Pets help owners cope with financial woes

Veterinary care can be expensive, but the effect pets have on their owners outweighs the cost to keep them healthy, according to a new study. That's because pets help owners deal with tough financial circumstances.

Independent research firm Catalyst Direct surveyed 400 pet-owning Americans and found that many were stressed because of the economy. Seventy-three percent say they're more worried about finances than before the downturn; 64 percent say they're more anxious; 59 percent say they're less confident; and 32 percent say the economy has affected their sense of identity.

But respondents also said their pets help them cope with the uncertainty. Eighty-nine percent say their pets help them deal with the stresses of life; 86 percent value their pets' appreciation, despite their own financial concerns; and 83 percent value the steady presence their pets provide.