Nearly all of us who are pet owners intend to do the right thing by them, and ensure they are happy and well cared for. Do you know what the laws say a good pet owner should do?

Get it wrong and you could be fined or even sent to prison for up to 6 months, so looking after your animal is not only an act of love but also a legal responsibility.

Here goes then. First, you must ensure that your pet has a proper diet and fresh water. On the face of it this looks quite straightforward. However, look at the words used, 'proper diet'. Many pet owners believe that their pets would do better if given a more human diet, and if this makes them ill, you could be in trouble. Always check online or with your vet what a proper diet actually means for your pet and stick by it!

You must also keep your pet protected from, and treated for, illness and injury. Always seek professional advice if your pet seems ill or has had an accident. Not only do we want to do this, the law demands it.

There are a number of other requirements, that they have somewhere appropriate and suitable to live, is allowed to express itself and behave normally, and remember you must be over 16 years old to buy an animal.

If you are an animal care agency PATCH helps you to manage the progress of your animals from arrival to departure, fostering, adoption and re-homing. Call us for more information.