There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a vet. Below are some tips and recommendations on finding a qualified vet for your pet. Contents 1 Where to find a vet 2 Questions to ask a prospective vet 3 Special issues relating to dogs 4 Special issues relating to cats 5 Special issues […]
Responsible Pet Ownership
Owning a pet is not just a privilege – it’s a responsibility. These animals depend on us for food and shelter and deserve much more. Bringing home a pet is a serious commitment to caring for and loving one of God’s creatures. Responsible pet ownership begins with doing your research before adoption. Millions of pets end up in animal shelters because their owners realize the commitment is too great. Before adopting a pet, make sure your lifestyle permits you to properly care for the pet of your choosing.
The American Kennel Club and its sponsors have named February as Responsible Pet Owners Days. The AKC has written a list of promises for dog owners to agree and adhere to as responsible people. Most of these promises can work for other pets as well, just substitute your pet for the word dog.
PET PROMISE
As a dog owner, I promise:
I will never overlook my responsibilities for this living being and recognize that my dog’s welfare is totally dependent on me.
I will always provide fresh water and quality food for my dog.
I will socialize my dog via exposure to new people, places and other dogs.
I will take pride in my dog’s appearance with regular grooming.
I will recognize the necessity of basic training by teaching my dog to reliably sit, stay and come when called.
I will make sure my dog is regarded as an AKC Canine Good Citizen by being aware of my responsiblity to my neighbors and to the community.
I will ensure that the proper amount of exercise and mental stimulation appropriate for my dog’s age, breed and energy level is provided.
I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification (which may include collar tags, tattoo or microchip ID.
I will adhere to local leash laws.
You can sign the Pet Promise by going to the AKC site and Responsible Pet Owners Days.
It’s up to us as responsible pet owners to reach the public and encourage and teach all pet owners on how to ensure happy lives for their pets. We owe our pets the care they deserve and the unconditional love they give to us.
The American Veterinary Medical Association Executive Board has compiled their list for responsible pet ownership which we will include here.
A committment to the relationship for the life of the pet.
Recognize pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.
Keep only the type and number of pets for which an appropriate safe environment can be provided including proper food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
Ensure pets are properly identified (tags, mircrochips, tattoos) and registration information on databases is kept up-to-date.
Adhere to local orinances including licensing and leash requirements.
Control reproduction through managed breeding – containment, spay/neuter.
Establish and maintain a veterinarian-client-pet relationship.
Provide preventive (vaccinations, parasite control) and therapuetic health care for the life of pets in consultation with and as recommended by the veterinarian.
Socialization and proper training for pets which facilitates their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.
Prevent pets from negatively impacting other animals, people, the environment by proper waste control, noise control and not allowing pets to stray or become feral.
Provide exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to the pet’s age, breed and health status.
Advance preparation to ensure the pets well-being in caseof an emergency or disaster including assembling an evacuation kit.
Make an alternative arrangement if caring for the pet is no longer possible.
Recognize declines in the pet’s quality of life and make decisions in consultation with a veterinarian regarding end-of-life care (palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).
Should You Adopt an Exotic Pet?
Exotic pets are usually defined as anything other than the typical domesticated animals. Exotic pets include snakes, lizards, weasels, tropical birds, wild animals and more. If you’re thinking of adopting an exotic pet, here are some points to consider: Contents 1 Advantages of owning an exotic pet 2 Disadvantages of owning an exotic pet 3 […]
Waste Management
One of the issues pet owners have to deal with is waste management. It is important that waste is disposed of properly for our own health. Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste wash down storm drains into bodies of water which eventually make their way into our drinking water. Bacteria associated […]
Dealing with Bad Pet Neighbors
Most complaints about neighbor’s dogs are incessant barking at all hours, cats and dogs pooping in your garden and leaving dogs off-leash outdoors with no fence to contain them. Let’s tackle incessant barking at all hours first. There may be ordinances in your area that do not permit any type of excessive noise before and […]
Microchip ID
Microchip IDs are used to identify pets who have wandered away from home. They are more secure than collars since they are embedded under the skin and can’t fall off and get lost. Each microchip has a unique number which matches the owner’s information in a central database. They can be inserted in dogs, cats, […]
The Importance of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
Did you know that more than 3 million dogs and cats are put to death every year because they are homeless? And that doesn’t include other types of pets. The estimated number of homeless animals across the United States in shelters is approximately 6-8 million. Those are staggering figures! Some pets are adopted, but the […]
Grooming Your Pet
Contents 1 The importance of grooming 2 Dog grooming 3 Cat grooming 4 Horse grooming 5 Grooming other pets 6 More information on grooming The importance of grooming Keeping your pet clean is important for its health and its appearance. Grooming your pet helps avoid problems and also alerts you to parasites or skin diseases […]
New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Care
New Year’s is the perfect time for resolutions. We often make pretty grand ones and then forget about them the next day, but there are some fairly realistic resolutions you can commit to which will make your pet happier and healthier. Here are some ideas: If you haven’t adopted a pet yet, or have room […]
Do You Really Want a Pet?
Congratulations on your interest in sharing your life with another living thing. There are a few things that you should think about before you take those final steps. Remember, when you choose to own a pet, you are taking on a major responsibility. A pet is a living being with feelings. You are making a […]
Cat Care
Adopting a cat is lots of fun but also comes with plenty of responsibility. Cats need a proper environment, diet, exercise, company – whether human or feline, and good health. If you are new to cat ownership you will find some good solid advice here on the basics of cat care. If you have been […]