In a previous article, we’ve discussed what you need to do to care for your pet or assistance animal in order for them to live as long as they can. This time, we’ll explore the various things you should do to keep your pet safe as well as yourself and others wherever both of you go.

These tips are very important because not only do they protect the welfare of your animal and others around them, they promote a community where all animals and their humans can live together in harmony. Keep on reading to know the animal ownership responsibilities you should remember.

1. Spay or neuter them

We don’t like the idea of abandoning an animal, seeing a lot of strays in the neighborhood, or overcrowded rescue shelters. But we also tend to forget that we are the cause of these problems. If you’re not an animal breeder, get your pets spayed or neutered. Don’t be the kind of person who loves animals but doesn’t make any effort to prevent unwanted litters.

2. Keep them on a leash or crate when both of you are out

In public settings, keep your animal under control. It doesn’t matter if that animal is very obedient and calm in your home. They will act differently around other people and animals in alien environments.

Consider those who don’t like pets or animals and people who are allergic to them as well. You could face a lawsuit if some of your animal’s dander caused a severe allergic reaction to someone.

3. Keep them inside your property

You must not allow your animal to leave your abode without a human accompanying them. This is a problem that pet owners tend to overlook. Yes, your animal may be spayed or neutered, but that doesn’t stop them from attacking the neighbors, their animals, messing their garbage bins, or defecating in their yard.

4. Make sure they’re up to date with their vaccinations

Rabies is a nasty viral disease that could guarantee death to the animal and human affected by it unless treated. Don’t wait for your companion to be affected by it. Make sure they’re immune to most viruses when they reach vaccination age. Aside from rabies, you should also need to look out for distemper and parvovirus.

5. Clean up after their mess

Image source: The New York Times

Wherever you go outside your home, always pick up after your animal’s droppings. You don’t want your home to be riddled with animal doodoo or hate to step on one. Others also don’t want the same thing in shared public spaces like parks and sidewalks.

6. Keep your home animal friendly

Keep foods and objects that could harm your pet or companion animal when ingested out of reach. Research which products are toxic to your kind of animal. Small children’s toys that can be swallowed by a furry friend should also be kept away.

7. Get them microchipped

Your companion animal has the potential to get lost even with extensive training and tracking instincts. Which is why it’s essential to have them injected with an identification microchip. When they get lost and authorities seize them, animal control officers can just scan and contact you when they’ve found your missing familiar.

Owning an animal is a huge commitment to make. The best tip to be a responsible animal owner is to know in advance which duties you should fulfill before bringing a four-legged friend into your life.

Need to know more about companion and assistance animals? Read these articles!

• Psychiatric Service Animal vs Emotional Support Animal: What’s the Difference?
• The 7 Best Service Dog Breeds for People With Disabilities
• What Are The Different Types Of Service Dogs? (And What They Do)

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below.