why o why do people call animals people names??? :/

my brothers name (jake) is a popular dogs name
and so is my SIL (jess)

id be thinking about how much they call the cat that name..... eg do they shorten it or call out 'puss' or 'kitty' instead?
and how much time you you spend at the cats house?

ps... we have 8 pets and have always called our pets by pet names.... i dont wanna waste any good human names we both agree on!! lol - they are very limited!