OWNING A PET IS A PRIVILEGE and should result in a beneficial relationship for both the owner and pet. However, the benefits of pet ownership come with obligations, and responsible pet owners provide for their pet’s needs in many ways.
CHOOSE WISELY and void impulsive decisions about obtaining a pet, and carefully select a pet that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.
MAKE A COMMITMENT and make plans for the full lifespan of your pet!
MAKE AN INVESTMENT and recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS and keep only the breed, type and number of pets for which an appropriate and safe environment can be provided, including appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY AND HAPPY and partner with your veterinarian to preserve and protect your pet’s long-term health. Provide preventive care, such as regular examinations, vaccinations and parasite control. Work with your veterinarian to provide timely and appropriate treatment for your pet’s illnesses and injuries. Provide exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to your pet’s age, breed and health status. Socialize and train your pet, which improves their wellbeing and the well-being of other animals and people.
BE RESPONSIBLE and prevent your pet from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment through proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing your pet to stray or become feral. Do your part to address our country’s pet overpopulation problem and avoid unplanned breeding through spay/neuter at an appropriate time, containment, or managed breeding.
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED and make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, tattoos, clear photographs) and that the registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date. Prepare in advance to ensure your pet’s well-being in the case of an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit. Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.
KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME and recognize any decline in your pet’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.
Responsible Pet Ownership Printable Flyer
WALTHAM Pocket Book of Responsible Pet Ownership
The Role of Pets in Human Healthy Active Aging
WALTHAM Pocket Book of Essential Nutrition for Cats
and Dogs
WALTHAM Pocket Book of Healthy Weight Maintenance for Cats
and Dogs
WALTHAM Pocket Book of Human Animal Interactions
WALTHAM Pocket Book of Puppy Nutrition
and Care
Dog owners bear a special
responsibility to their canine companions to provide proper
care and humane treatment at all times. The American Kennel
Club (AKC) and its member clubs understand the challenges in
creating effective animal control ordinances for a
community. That is why we support laws that target
irresponsible dog owners and substandard animal care. These
are the issues that need to be addressed in any law seeking
to regulate substandard kennels. Regulations such as limit
laws and stringent engineering requirements, however, are
ineffective, difficult to enforce, and unfair to responsible
dog owners. Government officials should instead focus on
reasonable, enforceable legislation to crack down on
irresponsible owners without punishing responsible breeders.
AKC SUPPORTS ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS AND STANDARDS OF
CARE The heartbreaking stories and pictures of mistreated
dogs are not the result of an individual owning too many
dogs. They are the result of irresponsible owners who are
unable and/or unwilling to properly care for their animals.
The AKC strongly opposes the breeding of dogs by those who
do so without regard for the dogs’ welfare.
