Thinking of gettting a pet?
If you are thinking of getting a pet, you have to remember that this is a long term commitment.
You will need to provide for your pet, taking into account the ‘duty of care’ responsibility that you will now have.
In 2007 the Animal Welfare Act was introduced to improve the well-being of pets. This Act states that anyone who is responsible for a pet must look after it properly and take reasonable steps to ensure that a pet’s welfare needs are met. This is called a ‘duty of care’ and is to ensure that owners meet their pet’s welfare needs, which depend on good physical and mental health.
The needs of your pet are summarised with the ‘Five freedoms’ and include:
1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from Discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour
By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress -
By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Minimum requirements in further detail.
An extremley important factor to remember is to ensure you can provide full medical treatment for your pet when required:
Insurance:
This is essential for a Responsable Owner to cover unexpected costs.
We might not normally think of accidents and illness in the first instance ,but Pets need a Vet. the same as people need a Dr.
Sadly animals dont have free health insurance to help them.
So WE MUST PROVIDE care for them when injuries and illneses happen.
If you struggle to consider paying Insurance, consider losing your favourite companion animal, because you couldn’t afford the Veterinary fee’s.
Working closely with various Veterinary Practices, we frequently hear of these cases.
You will normally pay a monthly fee (£8-£60 dpending on breed/age) and if an accident or injury is over your excess (what you have to pay upfront) you will submitt a claim to your vets and they will complete the process.
Affection:
Should be at the right time, not over done, and not when either the owner or dog is emitting negative or ill-balanced energy, and after they have responded well to a command or two from you, or for good behaviour
Treats:
Should only be given if the dog has worked for it, to give them just because or for free all the time can make them obese, &/or lazy as well as the dog thinking that it can demand a treat or kick up a fuss.
Rescue dogs really like the click and treat method.
If you have already or just rescued a dog, then you will find that offering treats to start the relationship will help you dramatically.
Click the clicker
Exercise:
Always with poo bags! 40mins – 4 hrs daily, 2-4 times at least, dependent on breed, owner energy & practicality, should be whenever possible, or feasible, in a different place daily, or at least a different path/route daily, to help stimulate the dogs instinctual senses to sniff out somewhere new or different to the usual area, this also gives more of a leadership role to the owner, as it reduces the chance of territorial dominance.
Shelter:
Should have soft furnishings like a Bed & Blanket, & or cushions low down for pack order, warm dry and in house could increase full personality development.
Food:
Regular & natural, yet not excessive, not poisoned with preservatives or nasty colours that we would not give to children as it can affect their behaviour dramatically, just a healthy balanced diet.
Water:
Always check that your dog has fresh water all day, unless otherwise stated by your vet.
Company:
Dogs are born sociable creatures and thrive on the company of humans or other dogs as they do not like to be left alone too long.
Chews:
Most chews will help to clean the dogs teeth, or you may assist this for fresh breathe, & helps to keep disease free. Check with your Vet.
Grooming:
Should be at least once every day, to help remove/shed old hair, stimulate cells, & develop Human-Canine bond.
Identification:
All dogs should be Micro chipped, and have a suitable secure collar with a tag on, Tag should have owners name, address/postcode, and telephone number, (avoid dogs name on tag)
Health:
All dogs have the right to be happy & healthy, this is the owners responsibility, if the dog is not happy & healthy then the owner HAS TO TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. Make sure your dog has its inital puppy vaccinations and keep up to date annually. Also a close bond to your vet is key as its not always so noticable when your pet could be unwell.
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