#NationalPetMonth
The Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) understands how special our pets are! As a charitable organisation, SCAS is dedicated to supporting research, promoting best practices, and advocating for policies that help both pets and people. Read more about SCAS here.
April is Pet Month in the UK and each week SCAS will present a topic related to companion animal welfare, well-being, and the important role they play in the lives of humans.
Week 1: Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO)
Kris Hill from the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) discusses what is meant by responsible pet ownership.
What is a pet?
A pet (aka a companion animal) is any animal kept primarily for human companionship, including tamed wild animals. However, SCAS and animal welfare experts do not condone the practice of keeping wild species as pets. A companion animal species is one who has undergone domestication – a process whereby a species evolves traits that render them better adapted to living with humans. Popular companion animal species include cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice.
There is increasing evidence of the health and other associated benefits of the human-companion animal bond for people of all ages and with diverse needs. Pets can help in combating loneliness by providing companionship and facilitating social interactions with other people.
Responsible pet ownership (RPO)
The bond is reciprocal and companion animals can benefit greatly from the love, care, and companionship provided by their human. However, pet ownership comes with legal and moral responsibilities, not only to that animal, but also to society and the animals involved in the pet trade and breeding programmes.
RPO can be defined as: ‘The responsibility of an owner to take good care of the needs of their animal throughout their life.’ This includes creating the right conditions for a happy, healthy, well socialised, and well-behaved companion that enriches their family’s lives and society, while minimising any potential risks they may pose to the public, other animals, or the environment.
Responsibility to your companion
Pet abandonment, relinquishment and overpopulation bring untold suffering and premature death to millions of companion animals annually, and resources of the organisations tasked with dealing with these issues are limited.
To reduce suffering (of animals and humans), SCAS advocates for responsible pet ownership (RPO) and summarises some key points below. For a more comprehensive guide, download the WALTHAM™ pocketbook of responsible pet ownership.
Spaying or neutering your pet should be a priority. Desexing reduce the numbers of unwanted animals born on the streets, housed in overcrowded shelters, or being euthanised. This is why shelters and many reputable breeders insist on spaying or neutering animals before sending them to their new home.
Socialisation of kittens and puppies is essential for happy, healthy, well-adjusted cats and dogs. And a professional behaviourist can help work though issues with an older pet, especially one who may have suffered trauma.
Commitment
As a pet owner you should be prepared to be legally and morally responsible for that animal for the rest of their lives. This includes parents who get a pet for their children. While it is good to encourage responsibility amongst young people, it is ultimately the parents who must ensure the animal is adequately cared for (including after a child grows up and goes off to university).
Regardless of whether you plan to purchase from a reputable breeder or adopt from a shelter, the decision should be considered a commitment to the welfare of that animal for the rest of their life. The phrase ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ became a popular slogan, but the underlying message is that pets should not be given as gifts (and especially not as surprise gifts!).
Reputable animal shelters will screen potential adopters and ensure the match is compatible in terms of the animals needs and the adopters’ expectations. An adoption fee is typical and covers the costs of neutering and vaccination. You would pay double that to spay or neuter a ‘free’ kitten or dog.
Preparing for caring
Circumstances can change and hardships are often unavoidable, but a pet should not be acquired on a whim. Ensure you have (and can reasonably expect to continue to have) the financial means to provide for that animal, including unanticipated vet bills (pet insurance is something to seriously consider). The PDSA has resources on species-specific needs and associated costs.
Before you bring home a new pet, educate yourselves on the basic needs of the species in terms of expected lifespan, diet requirements, space requirements, and conspecific companionship (e.g., rabbits need rabbit company, but cats can be only cats), and other species-specific needs.
Consider if your home, fitness level, and time commitments are sufficient to keep the animal fit, healthy, and happy. For example, a Great Dane puppy might not be the best choice for an older person living in a small flat.
Make sure all members of the household are fully on board, including existing pets. For example, it might not be fair to an elderly cat to bring an excitable puppy into the home. This could cause unnecessary distress to the cat and lead to behavioural ‘problems’ such as soiling outside of the litter tray.
Responsibility for your companion
You are also responsible for the behaviour of your companion animal in relation to property damage or personal injury. In certain parts of the world there are bylaws restricting roaming cats because of the ecological threat they pose to endemic wildlife. There may be leash laws that apply to both cats and dogs, and you will be responsible for ensuring your pet does not eat, dig up, or trample on your neighbour’s lawn. Antisocial noise, such as loud barking at night might also cause friction with your neighbours.
Dog bites can pose a danger to the public and it is the responsibility of the owner to educate themselves and ensure puppies are properly socialised, suitably restrained in public spaces, and properly cared for. Adopters of dogs who may have suffered trauma should be especially attentive and educate themselves on signs of stress or discomfort that may lead to the dog reacting aggressively. See here for a guide on dog bite prevention.
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SCAS is the UK’s leading human-companion animal bond organisation through funding research, providing education, raising awareness, encouraging best practice, and influencing the development of policies and practices that support the human-companion animal bond. For more details check out our website at www.scas.org.uk