The relationship between humans and pets has a millennia-long history and, judging by the sales figures of the pet industry, also a very promising future. Pet ownership is present in almost all areas of life, influencing a broad spectrum of social actions and forming the basis for entire professions. Nevertheless, there are only a few social science studies on this topic. Maria Simeonov examines how pet ownership has developed in Germany, particularly in recent times. She highlights which societal areas influence the relationship with pets, thereby providing an entry point into a diverse and multifaceted subject area.