The Responsible Pet Ownership Program was developed and implemented in Tallahassee, Florida, as a response to problems caused by animals in the Leon County community. The community wanted to help animals fit more successfully in to their rapidly growing community and wanted to improve the behaviors of companion animal owners and future owners. The community was concerned with the increasing anti-canine sentiments and wanted to change the attitudes of non-owners.

The program has four goals:

1. Owners will properly confine or control their pets and animals will not be permitted to run at large.
2. Pets will be provided with routine health checks and immunizations.
3. Dogs will receive obedience training, particularly training designed to teach them "good citizen" behaviors.
4. Citizens will learn about pet overpopulation, state and local laws, and related topics.

The project was started with an eventual goal of training most of the 250 neighborhood associations in the area. Relevant groups were contacted to get feedback. A slide show and script were developed to standardize training.

Working through individual neighborhood associations, training was provided on the concept of responsible pet ownership. Topics covered in training included the County Ordinance and Florida's Dangerous Dog Law, pet overpopulation, spaying and neutering pets, canine good citizenship training, and the importance of immunizing pets.

Modeled after the Neighborhood Crime Watch concept, training was provided at neighborhood association meetings. The program implemented a systematic approach to encourage voluntary compliance. When a neighborhood completes training, the neighborhood association receives a sign to be posted near the entrance of the neighborhood. Animal control officers and consultants work with neighborhood members to give advice regarding appropriate housing, fencing, and care of pets.

The pilot programs resulted in a decrease of dogs at large from a high of six per day to zero. Some realtors are now telling buyers "I see that you have pets. One of the great things about this house is that it is in a 'Responsible Pet Ownership Neighborhood'. You're going to be really happy living there."

Today, the Leon County Animal Control Agency continues to promote responsible pet ownership through quarterly pet fairs.

Leon County Animal Control Agency
501B Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 487-3172

 

Read another document in this section:

• IAHAIO Pets in Cities Award
• Park Liebrecht: Green Space Designed for City People and Pets
• Integrating Animals into the Community
• Good Dog Campaign and Poop Scoop Scheme