For many years, those in the pet industry and those who are considering bringing home a pet have been hearing the “adopt, don’t shop” mantra. While it may have been created originally with good intent, this saying has never addressed the real reasons that animals are in shelters and need to be adopted in the first place. Buy and Own Pets Responsibly wants to change this. The goals of Buy and Own Pets Responsibly are to increase awareness in the public of the responsibility of bringing home a pet, what that ownership entails, and if it is right for them at this time in their lives. It will also work to develop a nation wide program that will offer humane education to the public that will be available for local schools as well as community education.
With pet ownership, there are several considerations to make before one ever brings an animal into the home. This is where “Learn” comes in, and why it is so important in the human and animal equation. Even a less hands-on pet like a fish or small rodent requires the basics and can have their own challenges. When a person decides to bring in a larger animal, they require much more hands-on care. Many times each breed of animal within a species has its own peculiarities that should be taken into consideration before an individual animal is chosen. This is frequently one of the main reasons that animals are abused, abandoned, neglected, rehomed or turned in to the shelter. Potential pet owners need to consider if the pet they are bringing home will fit their lifestyle and personalities. And this includes all of the people who are living in the home too.
Buy and Own Pets Responsibly will encourage people to learn about the pet that they are considering and to think of the long term relationship they will have with that pet. People must remember that animals are not an impulse item, but something that can last many years, sometimes decades.
Once brought home, many pets will require at least basic training, socialization and work for them to become a valued and appreciated member of the family. While this does vary depending on the species, it is pertinent that this occurs with all pets except for those that will not be actually interacting with people, such as fish. Buy and Own Pets Responsibly will encourage people to seek out knowledgeable professionals who can help them make that adjustment and do it correctly the first time, so that all involved can have a more positive experience.
If potential pet owners will take the time to Learn and to Train their new pet, then they will be much more likely to Keep the pet and will only have to consider rehoming it under more serious life changes. Not just because it didn’t fit into their home in the first place.
As with Keep, when potential pet owners Learn and then Train their new pet, they will not only Keep it, but will love the pet and enjoy having its company. As anyone who has owned animals and developed a solid relationship with them knows, this is very beneficial to their lives and well-being.
Animals are good for people. Let us work on people being good for animals.
Buy Pets Responsibly 