There are 44.8 million American households with dogs. There are 38.4 million American households with cats.

For those reasons and more, The Sun Chronicle on Monday is launching, Pet Day, a weekly page providing news and advice on pets.

Edited by Assistant Managing Editor for Features Ken Ross, the page will lead the fourth section of Monday’s Sun Chronicle and contain:

E A feature with information and tips, many from local experts.

E Dogs and cats available for adoption from local animal shelters. E The semimonthly column Dog Pawse from Attleboro dog expert Tracie Laliberte-Bailey.

E The humor column by Foxboro native Bill Zuck will move from Mondays to Sundays.

Sun Chronicle Editor Mike Kirby noted that a survey released last month found that pet ownership is at its highest level ever, with 71.1 million households (63 percent) in the U.S. owning at least one pet. That’s up from 69 million households in 2004, 64 million households in 2002 and 51 million households in 1988, when research began.

“We hope this page provides a real service to a large number of our readers,” Kirby said, noting that an online version of Pet Day will be launched later this year.

Anyone with questions or comments about the page should contact Ross at 508-236-0427 or at kross@thesunchronicle.com.