Legal Aspects of Pet Ownership

Owning a pet is a rewarding experience. In addition to assuming responsibility for the care of the animal you also have legal responsibilities to take into consideration. It is not surprising that the legal aspects of pet ownership are often overlooked by new pet owners.

The legal responsibilities of pet ownership include following local regulations and ordinances, obtaining the proper licensing for the animal and having it vaccinated against disease and illness. Depending on where you live you are most likely also going to have to obey leash and pooper scooper laws.

When you welcome a new pet into your home, the first step you should take is to contact your city or counties licensing office and secure your pets license. Licensing your pet makes it easier for the authorities to locate you in the event your pet is lost. It will also help prevent your pet for being put up for adoption or euthanized in the event it ends up at an animal shelter.

Next make an appointment with a licensed veterinarian to have the animal vaccinated and screened for illness, disease and injury. Also be sure your new pet is legally allowed to reside in your neighborhood. As an example- a sheep or cow in a residential neighborhood and some cities have banned certain breeds of dogs such as pit bulls.

Additionally, when you open your home to a new pet be sure you can provide quality care for the animal. Almost everyone has good intentions, but you should be advised that animals do have rights and neglecting an animal and or treating it cruelly can and will be severely punished by fines and or imprisonment. Some forms of animal cruelty include not providing an animal with adequate food and water, exercise, torturing the animal and unnecessarily confining an animal.

Finally, when taking responsibility of caring for an animal, you are also responsible for insuring your new pet will not cause personal injury or property damage to your neighbors.

Owning a pet is a very rewarding and satisfying experience. Before welcoming a new animal into your home do the research. Find out how much a license and vaccinations will cost, make sure you are legally allowed to have the animal in your city, and consider if the animal will be happy in your home. You would not want to adopt a dog who weighs over 100 pounds if you live in an efficiency apartment, because the animal would not be happy or have enough room.