TOEFL Essay (Independent) - Should pets be treated as familiy members? In my view, pets should be treated like family members. Why? Because they have the right to be treated well and because they have beneficial effects for their owners. First, I believe in the concept of "animal rights". If someone decides to buy or to adopt any kind of pet, they are responsible for its well-being, just like they are responsible for other family members, like their children. For example, I own a rabbit and at least once a year, I have to take it to the veterinarian to get a vaccination and to have its health checked. It is not cheap and I have to make time for the appointment, but as I see it, this is my responsibility as the rabbits owner. Furthermore, I believe that there are many benefits for humans that welcome a pet in their family. Especially for children, owning and caring for a pet can be a learning experience. Among other things, they learn the meaning of responsibility. A good example for this is my seven year old cousin, who just got a dog for his birthday. He really loves the dog and he is willing to take it for a walk, feed it, etc. every day. So, by taking care of his beloved pet, he is getting accustomed to daily tasks he is responsible for. Besides the learning experience, the dog is a great play mate for my cousin, of course. So the animal brings a lot of fun to the family. As those examples illustrate, I am of the opinion that every pet deserves to be treated like a family member.