Always be an advocate for your critter because it can't speak for itself.

Be protective, be a voice...for your Love-Ones Who can not Speak for them Selfs.....Think what Doctor Coats is saying....Do Not Bite off more than you can Chew...

Sadly we live in a throwaway society. If it's a problem, get rid of it. Many pets have become fashion accessories or status symbols. Some have simply become inconvenient or annoying. We're so used to passing the buck that sending a pet to a shelter is often done without a second thought. Our values as a society are becoming more and more superficial. Our pets -and often our children- are paying the price. All we can do is love the ones we have, try to care for the ones without homes, and work to eliminate the causes of pet overpopulation.

I own two big dogs. One is 10, the other is 5 years. My dogs are friendly to all people. Not always the case with other animals. These are some things I do to be responsible, polite, to prevent possible bad situations.
When I move into a new area, I walk around a few blocks and learn where other dogs live. What dogs are out, on chains, aggressive..
I introduce myself to neighbors I see and tell them my dogs names. We talk about their habits with their dog(s)..
When walking my dog, I am always paying attention to what is going on around me, looking out for unleashed dogs, possible hazards..
When somebody is approaching us, I stop and make my dog sit, so they can pass more comfortably..
At the park, (not a dog park, I don't do dog parks) most people unleash their dogs. I will go back to the park after taking my dog home and talk to them. I explain it could be an undesirable situation if their friendly dog ran up to my dog. We use hand signals to determine our directions and they leash their dog while I pass through the park..

I feel that awareness and communication are a big part of being responsible. I never know what the other dog may do. I always introduce my dogs to new dogs in a controlled environment, like through a chain link fence first..
I do not let children pet my dogs unless they have been introduced. Child could poke my dog in the eye.
I take all these precautions because I know that not everybody else will follow leash laws or be aware of things that could cause aggressive behavior, like a female could be going into heat..

You have provided us with a great list of things people need to do to be responsible. Thank you.
I hope sharing some of the extra steps I take will be helpful for other dog owners.

#2 is huge. A lot of dog owners who don't follow that one are wishing they knew then what they know now.. *sigh*

And I totally agree that owning a pet is a privilege not a right. It is a shame that more people don't have respect for living beings and realize that they will cost money and time over their life. They are not stuffed animals.

I'd add the provision that everyone who lives in a prospective pet's household must be onboard with making an animal a member of the family. It takes only one resentful person to spoil things, usually tragically for the pet.

I agree with MOST of these guidelines. There are some that constitute a conflict of interest, like blindly listening to whatever a vet says if you don't want to follow their sometimes aggressive vaccine recommendations. LOL, in other words, being a responsible pet owner means obeying the vet without question. Yeh, that worked in my house. Pretty much destroyed my cat.

And I have to wonder . . . why don't vets start with the profession? The Principles of Veterinary Ethics are so often disregarded, and no letters of censure are ever forthcoming from AVMA to those that disregard them.