Responsible ownership: what do pet owners need to know?

摘要

It's safe to say the past year has been a challenge for everyone in one way or another. Many people have relied on their pets for company. They may have sat with them through TV binges, or motivated them to get up and go out to exercise.As people have found themselves with more available time, many have taken on additional pets. In April 2020, Jon Bowen asked 1,297 dog and cat owners questions about their feelings toward their pets, and their animals' recent behaviour - "most owners said their pets had provided 'substantial support' during the pandemic, yet 62 per cent of respondents said they thought their pet's quality of life had decreased" (May, 2021). This has caused some concern within the veterinary, charity and behaviour sectors, and led to the question, what can we do to promote responsible pet ownership?