Responsible Pet Ownership

← SafewayPets home | Browse pet listings

Pets Are More Than Listings

Every pet shown on SafewayPets is more than a photograph, description or listing.

They are living animals that depend on people for their health, happiness, safety and wellbeing.

Choosing to welcome a pet into your home can bring years of companionship and enjoyment, but it also brings responsibility. Before making that decision, it is important to consider whether the animal and your circumstances are genuinely right for each other.

Pets are more than listings — choosing the right pet means planning for their care, wellbeing and happiness throughout their life.

Choosing the Right Pet

Different animals — and different breeds — can have very different needs.

Before deciding on a pet, consider its likely size, temperament, exercise requirements, grooming needs, expected lifespan and the amount of attention it may require.

A pet that is perfect for one household may be completely unsuitable for another.

Take time to research the type of animal you are considering rather than making a decision based only on appearance.

Think Beyond Today

Bringing a pet home is usually a long-term commitment.

Depending on the animal, that commitment may last many years. Your circumstances can change during that time, so it is worth thinking ahead.

Consider your work and family commitments, holidays, accommodation and whether you are likely to have sufficient time for the animal throughout its life.

Understand the Costs

The cost of obtaining a pet is only a small part of the financial commitment involved.

Depending on the animal, ongoing expenses may include food, veterinary treatment, vaccinations, preventative healthcare, insurance, grooming, training, equipment and suitable accommodation.

Unexpected veterinary treatment can also be expensive.

Consider these costs before committing to an animal rather than discovering later that its needs are difficult to afford.

Veterinary Care and Health

Responsible pet ownership includes providing appropriate veterinary care throughout the animal’s life.

Learn about the routine healthcare recommended for the particular animal you are considering and be aware that some breeds may have specific health considerations.

If you receive veterinary records, vaccination information, health-test results or other documentation when obtaining a pet, keep them safely for future reference.

Time, Exercise and Companionship

Pets need more than food and somewhere to sleep.

Many animals need regular exercise, stimulation, interaction and companionship. Others may require specialist environments or particular living conditions.

Before choosing an animal, consider how much time you can realistically give it each day.

Meeting an animal’s physical and emotional needs is an important part of responsible ownership.

Your Home and Lifestyle

Think about whether your home is suitable for the pet you are considering.

Space, gardens, other animals, children, working hours and nearby surroundings can all influence whether a particular pet will be happy in your household.

If you rent your home, you should also make sure you are permitted to keep the type of pet you are considering.

Making these checks beforehand can prevent difficult decisions later.

Ask Questions Before You Commit

A responsible advertiser should understand why a prospective owner wants to learn as much as possible about an animal.

Ask questions about the pet’s history, temperament, health, routine and individual needs.

Equally, don’t be surprised if a responsible breeder or owner asks questions about you and the home you can provide.

Finding the right home should matter to both sides.

Never Feel Pressured

Choosing a pet should not be a rushed decision.

Don’t allow pressure, urgency or fear that somebody else might take the animal to make the decision for you.

If you need more time to think, take it.

The right decision is more important than making a fast decision.

When Circumstances Change

Sometimes circumstances genuinely change and an owner can no longer provide the home an animal needs.

Responsible rehoming means putting the welfare of the animal first and making reasonable efforts to find an appropriate new home.

Be open about the animal’s health, temperament, behaviour and needs so that prospective new owners can make an informed decision.

Hiding important information may simply create another difficult situation for the pet later.

A Lifetime Responsibility

Responsible pet ownership doesn’t require perfection.

It requires commitment, preparation and a willingness to put the needs of an animal alongside your own.

At SafewayPets, we want to encourage prospective owners and responsible advertisers to think beyond the listing and concentrate on what really matters:

Finding the right pet, the right person and the right home.

Because pets are more than listings.

They are companions, family members and a responsibility that can last for many years.