People love their pets, and rates of pet ownership have only increased since the pandemic began, with 70% of U.S. households now including at least one furry friend. It’s an appropriate time for our first Illinois Times’ pet issue, which includes tips on getting your dog to behave in public, what to do about that “community cat” that doesn’t seem to belong to anyone and how to keep your pets safe this summer. We also look at the nationwide shortage of veterinarians, which is a challenge in the Springfield area as well. Whether you’re a dog person, a cat person, or both, we hope you enjoy this week’s special issue on all things pet-related.