PDSA is urging pet owners to learn the basics of pet welfare to ensure pets have the best chance of being happy and healthy.
As a nation of animal lovers, pets are a huge part of our lives. The latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report shows that:
- 91% of pet owners say having a pet improves their life;
- 88% say it makes them mentally healthier;
- 71% say it makes them physically healthier; and
- 70% say they have been a lifeline when times are tough.
However, the report also reveals that, whilst pets are well loved, over half (56%) of owners are not familiar with their legal responsibilities as a pet owner. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 places a legal duty of care on pet owners or keepers to provide for their animals’ five welfare needs.
PDSA is encouraging all pet owners to familiarise themselves with the following five welfare needs:
Health
Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and seeking treatment if they become ill or injured.
Behaviour
Opportunity to behave naturally for their species e.g. play, run, dig, jump, fly etc.
Companionship
To be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate for the species. i.e. company of their own kind for sociable species like rabbits or guinea pigs, or to be housed alone for solitary species like hamsters.
Diet – a suitable diet
This can include feeding appropriately for the pet’s life stage and feeding a suitable amount to prevent obesity or malnourishment, as well as access to clean fresh water.
Environment
A suitable environment. This should include the right type of home with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore.
PDSA vet nurse, Shauna Walsh, said: “We are a nation of proud pet owners, but pet ownership can be full of surprises, so it’s always worth doing your research using credible sources to make sure you know how best to look after them.
“Understanding the five animal welfare needs is a great place to start and the good news is that PDSA has lots of free information to help people to be the best pet owners they can be.”
