• Ensure pets have adequate and clear systems for relieving themselves, whether indoors or outside, to maintain their dignity, health, and comfort.

• Take the time to educate yourself on the proper use of leashes, collars, harnesses, and vehicle restraints to ensure pet safety and well-being.

• Attend to vaccinations, licensing, and possible microchipping to keep pets as well as others safe and healthy.

• Report observed cases of neglect and abuse, including hoarding or exposure, to reduce occurrences of harm toward animals in our communities.

• Think of your pets’ needs before traveling with them to ensure that they are comfortable and have their basic needs met, as well as have fun!

• Before walking or hiking, be prepared to remove pet waste in a timely and hygienic manner.

• Include children in pet care, for the benefit of both.

• Plan time for initial and ongoing pet training, in some cases evolving enrichment activities for their growth and development.

• Refrain from sport hunting and fishing, and encourage others to stop.

• Discourage pets from killing smaller animals or insects.

• Teach children how to better respect and care for wild animals, insects, and pets.

• Advocate for animals who are subject to abuse, neglect, or, worse, who live under conditions of cruelty such as forced fighting.

• Help organizations that legislate for street animals to receive better care and good homes.

• Refrain from killing insects by carefully move them to safety, and refrain from using chemical sprays and insecticides.

• Engage young people, the next generation of stewards, in education, advocacy, and action to help animals.

• Use live traps to catch and release animals you want relocated.

• Question assumptions about euthanasia and end-of-life care for pets. Take the time to really understand the ramifications of your choices.

Reach out to your community of friends and family to both ask for and offer support around elderly pet care.

• Research and use simple mobility and home or travel adaptations for elderly pets.

• Research pain management techniques for pets before their pain becomes untenable.

• Recognize the end-of-life journey as natural, not something that needs to be prematurely ended. Learn about karma and varying beliefs about the death process.

• Be open to new perspectives about midwifing death for animals.

• Accept grief as a natural part of a lifelong journey and something about which we can be curious.

• Be kind to yourself and others who are making choices during a pet’s illness, injury,     or aging or dying processes.