Pet Sale Regulations Vs Pet Ownership

Where do you go if you wanted to acquire a pet dog? Your current options are: the nearby pet stores, the rescue or animal shelter, or check out the morning paper or the internet for resources. Or ask a dog-owner friend for referrals. If you are in San Francisco your options may be limited. Soon.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will discuss a proposed ban on the sale of dogs and cats, and a host of other small animals, including birds and fish. The proposed ordinance provides that in San Francisco people could acquire pets "of all species" only through pet store adoptions, direct retail sale by small breeders, or adoption from shelters or animal rescue organizations. All other pet sales, including by pet stores, would be completely prohibited.

To pet owners and dog lovers, the difference between pet store adoption and pet store sale may be just a question of semantics. Or maybe price. So call it adoption, not a sale. Problem solved.

Not that easy. Because businesses are involved. The proposed ban on pet sale impacts a business that nationally generated $2.16 billion in live animal purchases in 2009. It is estimated to have grown to $2.21 billion in 2010, according to a 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

As the pet sale business grows, so do the issues and problems arising from pet over-population and unwanted animals. The proposed ban is expected to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills and decreasing euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters.

It is easy to get carried away by so-called national statistics on animals that go in and out of shelters, or those that are euthanized. Supporters of pet sale ban also cite the big cost to the taxpayer in rounding up, housing, killing, and disposing of homeless animals. Recent cost figures cited are almost equal to the business generated by the live animal purchase industry. But it is just as easy to lose the trail in verifying the real source of these statistics. The reality is there, however: it costs taxpayer money to address these problems.

While the issue is being addressed in San Francisco, it is not an isolated problem. Local and state agencies across the country -- Los Angeles, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii, for instance -- are faced with the same problems and are proposing similar or related initiatives controlling pet sale and ownership. And while the problems are being addressed on the local and state levels, the outcomes will have nationwide, even global, impact because of the nature of the pet sale business itself and the internet.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), a non-profit service-oriented organization based in Washington D.C. and comprised by members of the pet industry and people who care about pets, is vigilant about government control and regulations. In San Francisco, the PIJAC has campaigned against the ban in multiple meetings after the proposed ban was introduced last year. PIJAC believes in re-homing adaptable animals, not limiting the availability of pets to the public, to solve the shelter issue. And pet retailers have committed to re-home adoptable animals from shelters, a commitment which the local council deems is not the answer.

PIJAC supports the right of individuals to responsibly own pets and to have the options as to where to get them according to their preference. It also maintains that pet stores provide healthy, responsibly raised pets to the public and should be an option, and that the public should not be discouraged from pet ownership by imposing costly and burdensome government restrictions.

While the issue in San Francisco is divided between the local government agency and animal rights groups on one hand and PIJAC and its supporters on the other hand, the pet owners sector has a role to play. In the case of pet dogs, what is responsible dog ownership? Where does it start? Does it start with simply wanting a dog and getting one from wherever is convenient or where the price is most affordable? Or does it stretch as far back as to where the dog comes from and under what conditions it was bred? And does that responsibility stretch far into the future with regards to their commitment to having a dog?

Responsible pet ownership then starts the moment you decide at having a pet. But right now, if you are in San Francisco, whatever options you have hang in the balance. If you have strong opinions about this issue, you can let the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare know. If you are outside of San Francisco, the same issues could be in the corridors of the animal welfare commission near you. Ultimately your action may be the factor that will tip the balance -- for or against the proposed ban.

Alda Menhennet is a self-confessed dog-scared person who has turned into an avowed dog enthusiast, thanks to a dog. Follow her personal saga, adventures and misadventures with Otis the dog--and learn with her--in her Dog Day series at [http://www.dogphiles.com]

Guide to Responsible Pet Ownership

From insects to alpacas, pets come in all shapes and sizes. Many families feel that they are not complete without some little (or large) critter to love. In fact, more than 60% of all American households have pets, and many of those have more than one. If you are considering buying or adopting a new pet, you need to make sure that you are already to take on the demands of a furry (or scaly) companion.

Choosing the Right Pet

When most people think of family pets they think of furry one like dogs, cats, and a variety of domestic rodents. While these are common pets, they are far from the only options out there. Fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and even insects can all be great pets for a loving family. Choosing the right pet starts with a close look at your current lifestyle.

One of the most important considerations to make is the amount of time you have free to devote to your pet. Dogs, for instance, need daily exercise and grooming. Are you going to be able to provide that? If you have a very busy lifestyle, choose a pet that requires less work to care for. There are many options that fit well into a busy life, including pet insects and reptiles. Some small rodents, like mice or guinea pigs, fit well into busy families.

Keep in mind that your child's pet will be your pet. Sure, your child will promise that he will walk, feed, and pick up after the dog, but these are ultimately your responsibility. If they do not get done, you will have to step in and do them for your child. Do not pick a pet that you are not willing to care for and assume that your child will.

You also want to consider the financial responsibility of owning a pet. Some pets require much more of a financial investment than others. A few crickets each week to feed a lizard will not cost much, but bag after bag of dog or cat food does add up. Before you choose a pet, find out all of the gear the pet will need, and decide if you can afford it. Also, make sure you consider the cost of vet bills. Failure to take an injured or sick pet to the vet is considered animal cruelty, no matter what your income situation may be.

Finally, consider any allergies in the home and extended family. Your immediate family may be fine owning a rabbit, but if grandma is allergic to the bunny's fur, you will be sentencing your children to never enjoying a visit from grandma. If someone you care about is allergic to a particular animal, choose something else.

Make a Lifetime Commitment

The animal shelters are full of animals whose families simply decided they did not want to be pet owners anymore. Before you adopt or buy an animal, make sure you realize that you are making a lifetime commitment to your new pet. Take into consideration the expected lifespan of the animal you are choosing.

This is not something to take lightly. Some animals, such as parrots, can live as long as 70 years. Take the time to research the lifespan of the pet you have chosen. Also, if the lifespan is relatively short, such as for some fish and rodent species, you will want to prepare any children in the family for the eventual demise of their beloved pet.

Protect from Unwanted Reproduction

If you purchase a pet, such as a dog or cat, that can be spayed or neutered, have it done. Unless you are planning to breed the animal to sell the babies, there is no reason to keep it intact. Unwanted reproduction will only put more animals in the shelters.

You can also protect yourself from unwanted reproduction in small rodents. Be sure you know the sex of the pet before you buy it. Separate males from females in order to avoid an eventual litter of new critters.

Prepare Your Home for Your New Pet

Once you have chosen the type of pet you want and have decided to make a lifetime commitment to that new family member, you need to prepare your home for its new addition. If the pet will be one that can roam through the house, make sure it is safe. Put away medications and cleaners in a place where the pet cannot access them. Find out if your houseplants are ones that are poisonous to animals, and put them out of reach if they are.

Provide a place for your pet to have as his own. If your pet is kept in a cage or tank, this is easy enough to do. Put a shelter of some sort in the habitat that the pet can go to when he wants some privacy. If your pet is going to have free reign in your house, give him a bed in a designated area where he will not be disturbed. Sometimes a crate works well. Every animal needs a place to go where other family members or pets will not intrude.

Where to Find Pets

The most obvious place to find pets available for sale is a pet store. If you are purchasing a small pet, such as a fish or hamster, this may be a good option. Larger pets, such as dogs, are often kept in poor conditions in a pet store, and they are also usually overpriced.

Adopting a pet that is in an animal shelter is always a good choice, if it works for you. Contact your local animal shelter to find out what types of animals they currently have available. Keep in mind that you may have a difficult time finding a young animal, like a kitten or puppy, because these are very popular and tend to get adopted quickly.

You can also find pets through animal classifieds, either online or through your local paper. This can be a great way to find an affordable animal or to purchase directly from a breeder. By shopping online animal classifieds, you will have a better chance of finding up to date information about available animals. This is also a great resource for those shopping for a more exotic pet that is not likely to be found in a pet store or animal shelter.

Jay Gaulard writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of PetLeeg, a popular pets for sale website.

Online Pet Adoption Can Teach Your Kids About Pet Ownership

With virtual pet adoption (VPA) your children will not only learn the responsibility of pet ownership, they will also enjoy a lot as they learn. After selecting a pet as their own, they can go online to their VPA site and enter the virtual world where their pet exists. At the website, they can play with their pet by going with them for walks, dressing them up, constructing their house, and sending them to school. Besides playing with their pet, virtual pet adoption will teach them to look after their pet, just like they would with a real pet. It is not all fun and games, since they have to take care that they feed their pet, tend it at the times of sickness, and play with it if it is fed up. These are the same responsibilities they would take with a real pet but now they would be doing it in cyberspace with cyber pet adoption.

When you opt to allow your child to participate in VPA they can select from various types of pets to adopt. Few sites will allow you to adopt multiple pets. Your kid can select from a specific breed of a pet or even an alien if they are interested - most of these websites have breeds as well as a variety of pets.

This hobby allows your kid to deal with the pet just like a live pet and even more as they can do a lot many things in the virtual world. Your child may form an emotional attachment with their virtual pet, and will start loving it as though it is real. What is most interesting regarding cyber pet adoption is that they provide many of the benefits and responsibilities of pet ownership, without the trouble parents normally have to undergo when giving the child a pet.

If you are interested in introducing your child to pet ownership, virtual pet adoption may be the method you should go for.

Thomas Te is the owner of Virtual-Pet-Adoption.NET. Enjoy free virtual pet adoption material and free adopt a virtual pet information.

Have fun.

Dog Ownership - Pet Adoption, Is It Right for You? 7 Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog

Deciding whether or not to get a dog is a big decision that should not be taken lightly - Read and consider these 7 questions to help you figure out if bringing home a dog to be a part of your household is right for you. Answering the following 7 questions will help you make an intelligent decision that will be mutually beneficial to you and your new pet.

1) What type of dog would be best suited to you? Look to your personality and lifestyle for insights to what type of dog would be a good fit for you. If your favorite pastime is reading a good book, get a dog that likes to curl up next to you on the couch. On the other hand, if like outdoor activities such as jogging or hiking, you may want to consider a larger, active dog with a higher energy level.

2) Where should you get your dog? There are many options, including private breeders, pet stores, animal shelters and rescue organizations. We feel the best choice is adopting from an animal shelter or from a rescue organization. Each year 10's of thousands of dogs are euthanized at animal shelters.

3) What kind of housing do you live in? If you live in an apartment or condo, there are several important things to consider. Some apartments and condo units do not allow dogs; or, if they are allowed, there are often size or weight restrictions in place. Also, if there is no access to a yard, you will need to be able to take your dog outside regularly, both for exercise and potty breaks.

4) What type of lifestyle do you have? If you spend most of your time away from home, either at work or play, this probably is not the right time to get a dog. Dogs are very social animals and need to spend time with their family. Also, if you are one to worry about dog hair on the furniture and an occasional mess in the house, a dog would probably not be the best pet for you.

5) What about the financial obligations? Keep in mind there will be the cost for food, veterinary services and grooming. In addition most cities require yearly licensing fees. Don't forget the toys, treats, and other supplies, too.

6) What is the time commitment? Dogs live an average of 12-15 years, so know that whatever life changes or events happen during that time, you will have a dog to consider and care for. Also, on a daily basis, dogs need your time and attention. They need time for exercise and play, and for just hanging out.

7) Will you be able to train your dog? Training your dog is probably the most significant aspect of dog ownership. You need to have considerable time and patience to fully train your dog. Otherwise, you may end up with potty in the house, holes in the yard, chewed furniture, and Granny getting knocked over at the door. It's not a pretty picture.

There are many things to consider before adopting a dog. These 7 tips are a great jump-start to help you decide if getting a dog - right now - is right for you.

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