I agree that many people treat their pets like family members. Pets give us company and make us feel less lonely, which is what family does too. Some people even celebrate their pets' birthdays and take them on family trips. It's common to hear people call their pets their 'children' or 'fur babies', which shows how close they feel to them.

But I can also understand the other side. Not everyone thinks of pets as family. In some cultures, pets are just animals, not family members. For some people, pets are there for practical reasons, like guarding the house or catching mice, not for emotional support.