The MSPCA-Angell believes that pet owners should protect the welfare of their animals, while at the same time ensuring that their animals do not impact negatively on other animals, the public, or the environment.
The MSPCA-Angell believes a pet owner/caretaker should:
- provide for the physical, behavioral, and psychological needs of the animal.
- provide preventative and curative medical care, adequate and sanitary housing, a nutritionally balanced diet, appropriate grooming, sufficient training to ensure the animal’s safety and a comfortable lifestyle, companionship and attention, and adequate exercise.
- follow the laws relating to animal care and control.
- not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem and limits the animal’s reproduction through spay/neuter, containment, or managed breeding.
- care for only the type and number of animals for which they can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care, and companionship.
- provide a humane and appropriate alternative for a pet if for any reason they can no longer keep the animal.
The MSPCA-Angell further believes that pet owners and caretakers should provide for their animals’ needs regardless of whether the animals are solely household companions or are also kept for working purposes.
