Pet ownership has all sorts of benefits, besides just the warm fuzzy feelings we get when we're snuggled up on the couch with our sweet loyal friends. Pet owners tend to be happier, exercise more, and earn more money.  Wanna adopt right now?

If you're happier, you earn more money, and you hit the gym more times per week than anyone else around you, give credit to your dog or cat.  They are your little daily pep rally, and you didn't even know it.

new survey says pet owners are twice as likely to consider themselves a success, and ninety percent of those polled agreed that their furry family members were good for their health and well-being.

This isn't just a poll of happy thoughts and warm fuzzies but offers some concrete data too.  Pet owners tend to be active and actually logged about twice as many hours exercising than non-owners did.  And when you think about it, taking the dog for a walk, lifting the crate, and pickup up the food and water dish does add a little extra light cardio to the daily routine. And apparently, dogs and cats make us so happy that we end up hitting the gym for a little more exercise just cuz.  Or maybe it's to get away from Garfield for a little bit.

Oh, and get this.  The survey looked at people with the highest salaries, and most of them had pets. Coincidence?  I think not.  Pets cost just about as much as kids do, and we have to go for every promotion we can at work to keep them up on their shots, fed, and looking semi well-groomed.  Pet owners earn on average, $5,200 more per year than non-pet owners, according to the survey.  That about covers the pet food and vet bills.

If you want to get going right now on that increased happiness and a higher salary, The Humane Society of Angelina County has plenty of awesome pets up for adoption right now.  Stop by the shelter between 10 am and 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and get on with the happiness!

More From Newstalk 860