Be a Responsible Dog Owner

So what does being a "responsible dog owner" really mean? It simply means "be good to your dog", or "be good to your neighbors."

Let's start with the basics - food and water, shelter, exercise, training, and veterinary care. The food and water part is easy - all you have to remember is that, like you, dogs need a good diet to stay healthy. Ask your Veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet a regular, nutritionally balanced diet.

Providing shelter for your pet is easy, too. Dogs belong inside the house! It is nice to have a fenced yard, complete with dog house, but a dog should never be left outside for long periods of time as they crave your companionship. They should stay inside with the family!

Playing with your dog, and walking him at least twice daily will provide quality exercise for your pet and keep him in top shape. Also, you will get just as many rewards from this play time activity as your pet will.

Enrolling your new dog in an obedience class is also a good idea. Training teaches your dog both discipline and kindness, and will help prevent behavioral problems that can come up down the road.

Regular veterinary check-ups are a must. Keep your pet up-to-date on shots and have any illnesses or injuries treated promptly. If you do not have a Veterinarian for your new pet, inquire with your local Humane Society or simply ask a friend who owns a pet for a referral.

Spaying and Neutering

The single most important step you can take to be a responsible pet owner is to have your new pet spayed or neutered.

Spaying your female dog means having her uterus and ovaries surgically removed. To neuter your male dog is to have his testicles removed.

The result of having this surgery performed is that your pet will no longer be able to bring more homeless animals into the world. This fact alone is so important to the CACHS because over 4 million dogs and cats must be humanely destroyed each year because there aren't enough homes for them all.

Spaying and neutering also has many health benefits for your pet. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.

Neutering reduces the incidence of prostate cancer and neutered animals are also less likely to bite, run away, or get into fights. To top it all off, dogs who are spayed or neutered live longer, healthier lives, and make better, more affectionate companions.

Simply put, if you cannot afford to spay or neuter your pet, you can't afford to own a dog.

License Your Pet
License your pet and put an ID tag on him and avoid a major problem that a lot of pet owners make. If your pet becomes lost and does not have a ID tag, you may be plain out of luck.

An up-to-date rabies tag is required by the law in most cities and counties. A collar and tag are a lost dog's "ticket" home. Be sure to have the rabies number, address and phone number on the tag.

Be a Responsible Neighbor

A dog who roams the neighborhood, chases cars, bicycles and joggers, potties in the neighbor's yard, knocks over garbage cans, or barks incessantly is a dog with an irresponsible owner.

When not confined on your property, your dog must be under control!

You are responsible for any damage, accidents, and bites caused by your pet.

Dogs who are tied outside all day, crated all day while their owners are at work, or exercised only at their owner's convenience are dogs who are being neglected and who are more likely to develop serious behavioral problems.

A dog is yours to love and care for for his entire life. It's up to you to provide that love and care. If you follow the "rules" of responsible pet ownership, you'll be rewarded with the many joys of having a dog by your side.

Be a Responsible Cat Owner

How hard can it be? Cats can take care of themselves, right? Being a responsible cat owner simply means keeping him/her indoors, providing him with companionship, having him/her spayed or neutered, keeping a collar with identification on your pet, and meeting his needs of food, water, and veterinary care.

Your Roaming Cat

When allowed to roam, cats can get into garbage cans, defecate in flower beds and sandboxes, and contribute to pet overpopulation. They can also have a devastating effect on local wildlife - killing dozens of songbirds and small mammals each year.

However, the most important reason to keep your cat indoors is for his/her own safety. By going outdoors, cats face diseases, cat fights, dog fights, poisons, parasites, cruel people, and the biggest killer of all - traffic.

You can help keep your cat's indoor environment "cat friendly" by providing him with a scratching post, planting pots of indoor greens for him to chew on, adopting another animal to keep him company, providing cat toys (especially with catnip inside), and most importantly, by playing games and spending time with your pet.

Spaying and Neutering

The single most important step you can take to be a responsible pet owner is to have your new pet spayed or neutered.

Spaying your female cat means having her uterus and ovaries surgically removed. To neuter your male cat is to have his testicles removed.

The result of having this surgery performed is that your pet will no longer be able to bring more homeless animals into the world. This fact alone is so important to the CACHS because over 4 million dogs and cats must be humanely destroyed each year because there aren't enough homes for them all.

Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Neutering reduces the incidence of prostate cancer and neutered cats are also less likely to spray and mark their territory. Spayed cats will no longer go through heat cycles. Cats who are spayed or neutered make better, more affectionate companions.

Simply put, if you cannot afford to spay or neuter your cat, you can't afford to have a cat.

Keep Your Cat Healthy

Cats require basic care to keep them healthy and happy.

A nutritionally balanced diet is important for your cat. Your veterinarian can guide you on an adequate feeding program.

Regular yearly veterinary visits are also a requirement - cats need yearly vaccinations and boosters to remain healthy.

Owning a cat is a lifetime commitment. It is up to you to provide him/her with that "lifetime guarantee."

Choosing a Personality

If you stroll past a few cat cages at our shelter, you will notice that some cats meow for attention, some may act shy, and others choose to simply lie back and look at you with an air of arrogance. What disposition is best for you?

Look for a cat who is playful, alert, active, and who is comfortable being held and petted.

Cat or Kitten?

Kittens are curious, playful and energetic, while adult cats are more relaxed and less mischievous. Kittens will require more time to train and feed. Young children may not have the maturity needed to handle kittens responsibly, so a cat four months old or older may be the best choice for a home with children under six years of age.

Short hair or long?

The choice of a long-hair or short-hair cat is simply one of preference. There will usually be more short-hair cats available at the shelter since they're the most popular cats. Long-hair cats require frequent grooming to keep them mat free.