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Responsible Pet Ownership
How to be a responsible pet owner
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In the
United States...
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2,000 pets an hour are
“put to sleep”.
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| Please... |
Help stop unnecessary deaths.
Be a responsible pet owner.
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1. Select the right pet.
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Selecting the right pet is the first and most important step. The “wrong” pet makes for an unhappy
owner.
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Consider your lifestyle: Do you have the time and energy to give your pet enough attention and exercise?
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2. Spay or neuter your pet.
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It's the right thing to do! Why? Pick a reason:
Spaying and neutering...
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Prevents unwanted litters;
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Prevents cancer and other diseases;
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Makes pets calmer and more content;
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Reduces spotting and spraying problems;
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Discourages roaming and fighting.
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True or false?
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A neutered pet
will get fat!
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False! Diet and exercise determine this, not the animal's reproductive status. |
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Animals need
to reproduce!
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False! This is a myth. Pets don't need to reproduce - not even “just one litter”. |
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To assist pet owners, Saint Louis County Animal Control Services operates Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter Program.
3. Use proper identification
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The rabies identification tag is your pet's “Free phone call home!”
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The law requires that pets wear rabies tags.
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The most common reason pets are not found: - No Identification!
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A frequent excuse for missing tags: “We just gave our pet a bath...”
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What you, and only you, can do for your pet:
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Provide proper training.
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Confine dogs to your home or in a fenced yard.
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Keep cats indoors.
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Average Life Span for Cats:
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Outdoor Cat
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3 years
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Indoor Cat
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12 to 15 years
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4. Proper control, vaccination and care - the humane thing to do.
For Saint Louis County information on:
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Finding a lost pet
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Adopting a pet
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Training a pet
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Financial aid for spaying and neutering or
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What to do if you can no longer keep a pet...
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Please call us at (314) 615-0672
Or visit one of our shelters for more information.
To adopt a pet:
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Check our Adopting a Pet page, then visit a shelter.
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Visit a St. Louis area pet adoption website, such as...
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