Submitted by the staff of the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH)
Humans began domesticating animals at an unknown date, but many similar stories throughout antiquity highlight their importance.
These stories all share a common theme of awe and admiration for animals, reflecting society’s similar fondness for them. Whether an animal’s image is forever painted on a cave wall, buried alongside humans, or highly regarded by a family, animals have always held a significant place in human history.
During the mid-19th century, long after the domestication of dogs, society began commercializing pets and pet-related goods. The birth of consumerism brought goods to the market that are still around today. One such item is the dog tag.
Dog tags became one of many bespoke services offering the ability to personalize pet products. Although their primary purpose is for insurance against loss or theft, the idea of creating something pleasing to the eye reflects the changing era of consumerism.
Owners began to feel the need to accessorize their pets, furthering their place in the family unit. The dog tag pictured above is shaped like a bell, indicating the owner went out of their way to customize their pet’s accessory.
Dog tags were not the only pet-related items that emerged during this time. Another such example is the introduction of pet food. Pet food also represents the emergence of mass marketing of pet-related goods and the push toward transforming your dog from a ‘wild carnivore’ to a ‘civilized omnivore.’ Pet food was specifically marketed and created with the help of veterinarians.
Find objects like this dog tag on display in Pawtraits: A Brief History of Pets, running from July 27 to Sept. 21 at OMAH. Pawtraits explores the emergence of pets in society and traces how far back historians can connect modern ideals of pet keeping. Many often ask when this change occurred and how pets were kept in the past. As society transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming, the idea of keeping pets for enjoyment instead of survival evolved.
Next week, we will feature another object from the OMAH collection that showcases our local history.
