Pet Guardian Responsibility ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Anyone can be a parent, whether one has a child of their own or adopts one. The same goes with pets - anyone can have a pet, whether that pet is bought, received as a gift, rescued or adopted. However, it takes a responsible person to be a good parent and/or pet guardian. A responsible pet guardian loves and cares for his pet - provides a happy home, health care and nutrition, and training to control the actions of the pet, sets aside regular playtime and grooming periods, and cleans up after the pet. A pet is a privilege and a lifetime commitment. Through responsible pet guardians' love, concern and actions regarding each pet that is brought into the home, every pet becomes a cherished member of the family.

When thinking about getting a pet, each person in the family should seriously think long and hard about that commitment ... the training, the care, the expense. Each person should be in agreement about getting a pet. Getting a pet and then afterwards trying to influence the one who didn't want the responsibility to care for and love the pet usually only causes deep resentment toward the pet. The pet is the one who suffers in the long run: fear, intimidation, and eventually possible abuse and homelessness.

The following questions should be thoroughly discussed by you and your family before bringing home a pet:

Are you aware of our society's pet surplus problem and will you take part in it by allowing your pet to breed?
If you are an apartment or other rental dweller, will your new pet "outgrow" the home? Will you move if you need more room for your pet? What will happen should you move? Will you consider another apartment that will not take pets? Will you compromise with a new landlord's tenant requirements if pets are permitted? (i.e., "Well, I would have had to get rid of Binky if I didn't declaw him" or "Lady barks so much when she goes into heat that the new landlord said we can't keep her, so we're taking her to the pound or shelter.") If you are buying or building a new home, are your carpeting, hardwood flooring, drapes, furniture, landscaped lawn, etc. more important to you than your pet?
If you permit your pet outside, will you follow your state and local animal laws and licensing regulations so that he doesn't infringe on the rights of others?
Are you willing to devote time each and every day for exercise, grooming and play regardless of how busy you are? If you are away from home for more than a day, will you have someone come into your home for quality time spent with the pet while you are gone? Will your pet be left alone in an empty house or apartment during the day while you work? Will you consider getting him a companion if you are?
If your family has children, have you thought to include them in the responsibilities of caring for your pet? If not, will you make time to teach your children how to properly care, train and clean up after your pet?
What will happen should your pet develop a serious disease, or is ill for a long period of time, or develops an illness or disease associated with aging? Will you continue taking him to the vet for treatment, regardless of the cost? Will you make sure he's not suffering due to lack of veterinary care, medications and any special dietary measures? Will additional care and expense for an ill or aging pet crimp your lifestyle in any way?
What will happen to the pet in the break-up of your relationship or marriage? If the pet seems happier with your ex, will you be willing to forsake your feelings for the sake of the pet's?
If you should lose your source of income, will your pet lose his "right" to live in your home? Will any form of abandonment be considered (i.e., given to a co-worker, friend or relative, taken to a shelter or pound, left on the street, euthanized, etc.)? If all your options to keep your pet have been exhausted and you must give him up, will you consider the pet responsibility of the prospective new guardian? Will you make it clearly understood that you will take the pet back if his new home doesn't work out? Will you follow-up to make sure your pet is well cared for and happily adjusted in his new home? And if you have any doubts whatsoever about the new guardian, will you take steps to rehome your pet again?

If you and your family are uncertain about any of the above questions or you've come up with ANY excuses why you could make a decision to exclude the pet currently sharing your life, you should never own a pet. Consider owning a pet rock instead - now that's one pet which requires no responsibility whatsoever.

"We are your friends, your confidants, your companions. We share your lives, and whatever affects us, also affects you to some degree. We rely on you for our needs, and are dependent on you for our protection and well-being. Please do us no harm; we are helpless before you and at your mercy.

We are living, breathing, sentient life-forms; we are not playthings to be altered to suit the convenience and lifestyle of those with whom we choose to share our lives. Whatever alterations you make to our bodies should directly benefit us individually or as a species; it should never be solely for personal vanity or convenience.

Many humans place themselves above us in arrogance and ignorance, they claim we are lesser beings and we have no soul and no language; therefore we have no rights, nor do we deserve rights.

It can never be proven with any certainty that we have no soul, and many do not understand our language; so much for human superiority. If you would give us more than just cursory attention, we can prove to you we do have a soul, you can learn our language and have the ability to communicate with us.

Accept us and learn who we are. Understand our needs, treat us with dignity, and have compassion for us when we are unable to defend ourselves in what is our world also. Respect us and love us as individuals and we will enrich your life beyond your wildest expectation."

The Pet's Bill of Rights

We have the right to be full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love.

We have the right to stimulation. We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy.

We have the right to regular exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish...or fat.

We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns now and then; don't expect us to be predictable all the time.

We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet!

We have the right to a good diet. Like some people, we don't know what's best for us. We depend on you.

We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs or show cats, watchdogs, hunters, or baby-sitters.

We have the right to receive proper training. Otherwise, our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife - and we could become dangerous to ourselves and others.

We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion, rather than abuse.

We have the right to live with dignity...and to die with dignity when the time comes.

~ Author Unknown ~
Emphasis made in above list by P&PI