April is #nationalpetmonth and a great opportunity to highlight the elements of responsible pet ownership. IT’S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY!!!
But what is responsible pet ownership? The BSAVA define it as:
- Committing to the responsibility of providing for an animal’s needs for the life of the pet.
- Recognising that ownership requires an investment in time AND money which can be substantial over the lifetime of the animal.
- Carefully selecting a pet that is suited to your home, lifestyle and family members.
- Avoiding an impulsive decision about getting a pet and only obtaining a pet from a reputable source that safeguards the health and welfare of the animals they supply.
- Ensuring the pet is kept in accordance with all relevant legislation.
- Keeping only the type and number of pets that you have the knowledge and resources to care for; providing a safe environment, appropriate exercise and mental stimulation, housed apart from other animals if needed and provide access to appropriate food and water.
- Protecting your pet from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
- Registering all pets with a veterinary practice and implementing their advice regarding the preventative and therapeutic healthcare needs of your pet.
- Ensuring that pets are properly identified and registered on a recognized database and that the information is kept up to date.
- Controlling your pet’s reproduction through neutering, containment or managed breeding to avoid producing unwanted young. This includes ensuring that the appropriate health tests to reduce the risk of the offspring suffering from inherited disease are undertaken and considering temperament and socialization of animals being bred and the parents of those offspring.
- Ensuring that your pet is well socialized and trained to ensure it’s health and welfare and so that its behaviour does not have a negative impact on other people or animals.
- Making suitable arrangements for your pets in the event that you are away, taken ill or in cas of emergency.
- Making animal welfare your primary consideration especially when it comes to end of life care.
CHOOSE WISELY!
Choosing a pet for you and your family is a very important decision to make and there’s lots to consider. The first step is doing your homework! Look at the specific needs of the various pets and whether you can meet those needs. Having young children or people with weakened immune systems in the household, for example, may affect the choice of pet you make.
Want some help choosing? Visit the PDSA website and answer their questions to see which pet might suit you!
If you have any concerns about the health of your pet, contact the team via PetsApp or by calling 01772 639800 OR 01253 766352.
Photo by Andrew S on Unsplash
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