I was doing research for an article on Be Kind to Animals Month for my shelter's newsletter. I came across this list and thought it summed things up.

1. Give your pet the gift of health. Regular veterinary visits are essential. Have him checked for worms and disease, and make sure that his shots are kept up to date. If your veterinarian prescribes medication for your pet, see that he gets it as directed.

2. If you see an injured or homeless animal, notify your local shelter immediately.

3. Report suspected animal abuse to your local animal shelter. Animals can't speak for themselves, so it is up to you to defend them.

4. Use caution when buying plants and using pesticides - both can be harmful to your pet.

5. Take steps now to provide for your pet in the event of your death or incapacitation. Ask your attorney for advice on appointing a guardian.

6. Keep your dog on heartworm preventative his entire life. Once a dog gets heartworms they are very hard to treat and sometimes are fatal.

7. Affix an identification tag to your pet's collar to ensure that you are contacted in the event he is lost or injured. Be sure to include your name and phone number.

Featured in the Pet Assistance League Brochure, 44 Ways You Can Be Kind To Animals, written by Michelle Coxton.

8. Take your puppy to dog obedience classes as soon as possible! Don't wait until they are 6 months old as some vets will tell you! Yes, they can be too young before the age of 4 months (simply because the have not yet recieved all their shots) but do bot delay.