Responsible Pet Owners Month: Experts offer tips to be the best pet parent you can be

DELMARVA – When you think of being a responsible pet owner, you probably think of making sure your furry friend always has food, water, and shelter.

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month, and experts say it’s a great time to remind owners of all the things to be prepared for. Sara Smith with the Brandywine Valley SPCA says making sure your cat or dog has their license and a registered microchip should be at the top of that list. Ensuring that your pet is always on a leash when you go for a walk is also very important.

If you’re adopting for the first time, Smith says there are a few additional things to keep in mind.

“So for folks that are looking to welcome a new pet into their home, to be responsible, you want to have your whole family come in and meet the new animal that you want to welcome into your home. And then you want to give them that time, there’s kind of this unwritten three three three rule, the three days, three weeks, three months rule of letting your animal settle in and get used to your routine,” said Smith.

She adds that it’s important to go at the pace of your new animal, your family, and any animals you may already have in your home.

Lastly, if you’re in need of things such as pet food, vet care, or spaying and neutering, Smith says many shelters offer services at low costs.

“Really, we want to help our pet owners be the best pet owners that they can be.”