1. Select the right pet.

• Selecting the right pet is the first and most important step. The "wrong" pet makes for an unhappy owner.
• Consider your lifestyle: do you have the time and energy to give your pet enough attention and exercise?

2. Spay or neuter your pet.

It's the right thing to do! Why? Pick a reason:

Spaying and neutering...
• prevents unwanted litters;
• prevents cancer and other diseases;
• makes pets calmer and more content;
• reduces spotting and spraying problems; and,
• discourages roaming and fighting.

• To assist pet owners, Saint Louis County Animal Control Services operates Reduced Cost Spay/Neuter Program.

3. Use proper identification

• The rabies identification tag is your pet's "free phone call home!"
• The law requires that pets wear rabies tags.
• The most common reason pets are not found:
  - no identification!
• A frequent excuse for missing tags - "we just gave our pet a bath..."

• Provide proper training.
• Confine dogs to your home or in a fenced yard.
• Keep cats indoors.