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Animals
In Western
countries, people spend a lot of money on their pets. They buy
special food and toys for their cats and dogs and often pay high
fees for medical treatment. Some people think this is a waste of
money, and argue that pets are dirty and dangerous.
In many Western countries people are fond of keeping pets.
However, others say that pets are often dangerous and
aggressive.
Personally, I think that people can benefit from pets in many
ways. First of all, animals are usually devoted to their owners
and love them. You will hardly feel lonely and depressed if you
have a pet. Secondly, pets help people stay healthy. For
example, doctors have found out that people who have high blood
pressure feel much better when they stroke pets and talk to
them. What is more, pets encourage their owners to get out and
exercise. Dog owners usually spend much time walking which helps
them improve their overall health. It is a well-known fact that
people who have pets are happier and live longer than those who
don't.
But many people say that they are too busy to take care of
animals. Others think that it is too difficult and
time-consuming to keep pets. Cats, dogs, birds, fish, hamsters
and other creatures require not only human love and kindness but
also food, medical care, training and shelter. You must feed
them regularly, keep them clean, go to the veterinarian for
their yearly checkup and so on. It takes much effort and causes
extra expenses. It is also obvious that animals make a lot of
noise, may look untidy and disturb the members of your family.
To conclude, it's important to realize that owning a pet is a
great responsibility and additional work. However, for most
people, the advantages of having a pet outweigh the
disadvantages. Anyway, everybody must remember that all pets
need love and care just as people do.
Some people
believe that animals without owners should have the right to
live on the streets in cities. Others say that they could be
dangerous and should be collected and found new homes, or even
put down.
Unfortunately, many cats and dogs suffer abandonment,
cruelty and neglect nowadays. Some of us think that it is quite
normal and there is no need to change the situation. But others
are convinced that some urgent measures must be taken in order
to improve the lives of homeless animals.
To my mind, the lives of homeless cats and dogs are full of
hardships: they starve, catch different diseases and suffer from
cold and people's cruelty. Furthermore, they may be rather
dangerous because people may get infection from them. Besides,
stray dogs may attack people and even kill them. In my opinion,
living on the street is not a right, but a necessity for poor
creatures that have no choice. I think that volunteers should
catch homeless animals, provide them with food and medical care
and try to find home for them. But I am against killing homeless
cats and dogs because I find it inhumane.
On the other hand, some people believe that many owners cannot
provide good homes for their pets and the full lives that they
deserve. Living in our homes animals must obey commands and can
only behave how people allow them to. Dogs, cats, or birds want
to be free, but they are confined to a house, yard or cage. But
I think that domesticated animals are not able to survive on
their own in the wild and it is cruel to throw them out on the
streets.
To sum up, people must be responsible for both domesticated and
wild animals. I believe that homeless animals are a serious
social problem that must be solved as soon as possible.
Some people
keep exotic animals as pets nowadays. Others say that it is
difficult and dangerous to take care of unusual pets.
Today some people keep rare and unusual animals in their
houses. But do alligators, tigers, crocodiles, snakes or
raccoons feel comfortable living with people? And is it safe to
keep such animals as pets?
Personally, I think that owners of exotic animals are going to
have many problems with them. Firstly, many professionals,
including veterinarians and zoologists strongly discourage the
keeping of exotic animals as pets, as their needs may be
difficult to meet by the average owner. Providing appropriate
environmental conditions, housing and diet for an exotic animal
may be rather difficult. Secondly, unlike cats and dogs, exotic
animals have not been domesticated and remain wild. Even if they
are raised by humans, they may be unpredictable, aggressive and
dangerous, especially as full-grown adults. Finally, some
animals are known to carry diseases that can affect humans.
However, some people say that having an exotic pet is funny and
"cool". They are fond of showing their pets to their friends and
relatives who cannot stop admiring these rare animals. Besides,
the information about many commonly kept reptiles, birds and
small exotic mammals is widely available through literature,
Internet websites and discussion forms. Although having an
exotic pet is sometimes challenging, it is generally very
interesting and rewarding. But I believe that most animals feel
much better in their natural homes where they have the right
climate, food and exercises that meet their needs.
To conclude, most countries have the laws that forbid people to
keep exotic animal as pets. To my mind, the government must
strictly control the trade of some exotic animals around the
world in order to prevent any threats to their survival and
ecological damage.
Many people
enjoy visiting zoos. Others believe that animals should not be
taken from their natural surroundings and put into zoos.
A lot of people, especially children, are fond of going to
the zoo. There they have an opportunity to look at wild animals,
exotic birds, insects, reptiles and fish. When we come to the
zoo, we can see animals that we would never have a chance to see
in our country. But is it right to keep animals in the zoo?
Personally, I think that animals should live in their natural
habitats. Animals that live in zoos are confined within
enclosures and displayed to the public. It is difficult to
create ideal captive environments for some species and sometimes
animals have to live in bad conditions and look miserable and
untidy. They may suffer from lack of space, comfort and good
food. Some wild animals feel stressed in captivity. Sometimes
they are kept in such small cages that they are unable to turn
around. Besides, in spite of prohibition many visitors give
animals food that may do harm to their health and cause
different diseases.
However, some zoos keep fewer animals in larger, outdoor
enclosures, rather than in cages. For instance, safari parks
allow visitors to drive through them and come in close contact
with the animals. What is more, most modern zoos display wild
animals primarily for the conservation of endangered species, as
well as for research purposes and education, and secondarily for
the entertainment of visitors. But I still believe that animals
feel much better without people's control.
To sum up, I think that the conservation and educational role of
zoos should be strengthened. All zoos must be inspected and
licensed, and all animals must be provided with a suitable
environment.
Most people
are convinced that a digital pet cannot substitute a real one.
Others suggest that digital pets are preferable for a number of
reasons.
Some children keep digital pets instead of real ones for
companionship or enjoyment. But a lot of people doubt that the
relationship with robotic animals can have a good effect on a
child.
I strongly feel that digital pets can never be compared with
real cats, dogs and other animals. They do not even have
concrete physical form. Instead of a cute little kitten or a
funny puppy, you have a palm-sized computer with a small screen.
I doubt that feeding, washing or playing with the digital pet
may be interesting and rewarding. Nevertheless, some children
believe that their digital pets are really alive and they feel
extremely unhappy if their virtual cats and dogs fall ill or
die. In addition, it is quite possible to become addicted to the
digital pet. Some children play with them when they should be
doing something else, for example, their homework.
But some people believe that digital pets have a number of
benefits. Firstly, a relationship with the digital pet teaches
children that their desires cannot always come first. It can
also teach boys and girls to be responsible because the digital
pet requires constant attention, otherwise it will "die".
Secondly, having a digital pet is a good training before
adopting a real animal. Finally, digital pets can successfully
substitute real ones for children who cannot care for a real
pet, such as those who suffer from allergies.
To sum up, digital pets are usually predictable and they cannot
give us as much joy and satisfaction as real ones. Anyway,
parents should take into consideration all advantages and
disadvantages before buying a digital pet to their children.
Из учебного пособия
"Открывая
мир с английским языком. 150 эссе для ЕГЭ. Готовимся к ЕГЭ" Юнёва С.А. 2011г.
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