Considerations Regarding the Choice of a Pet
Position
The CVMA believes that pet ownership should involve a lifelong commitment to the animal's physical and psychological well-being. Before any new pet is brought into a household, consideration should be given to the appropriateness of the pet for the environment in which it will live and the resources available to provide proper care to meet the behavioural, medical, and environmental needs of the animal as well as to ensure the animal is not a threat to public safety.
Background
Prospective pet owners should ensure they are knowledgeable about the nutritional, housing, behavioural, medical and environmental needs of their chosen species and that they can realistically meet these needs. They should also ensure the animal is not likely to endanger humans or other animals, wild or domestic. Selecting a pet whose temperament, energy levels and exercise needs match those of the owner is very important. The CVMA encourages prospective pet owners to obtain pets only from reputable sources so as not to support unethical operations such as puppy or kitten mills.
Only animals that have been domesticated through selective breeding for preferred attributes such as temperament and behaviour should be kept as pets. (See position statements on “Keeping of Native or Exotic Wild Animals as Pets and Capture of Wild Animals for the Pet Trade”) However, it must be remembered that any animal may express natural behaviours as they mature, including hunting and territorial defensiveness, which may make them behave in ways that can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
References
1. Schuppli, CA and Fraser, D. A framework for assessing the suitability of different species of companion animals. Animal Welfare 9:359-372 2000
2. A Commonsense Guide to Selecting a Dog or Cat. CVMA www.animalhealthcare.ca/pdfs/english.pdf [last accessed March 10, 2005
3. Canine Inherited Disorders Database www.upei.ca/cidd [last accessed February 8, 2005]
(Revised July 2005)