Pets

Pets BSA Supply No. 33281

Pet ownership is a mixture of fun, excitement, responsibility, commitment, expense, and learning. Besides providing a window into the animal world, owning pets gives us opportunities to participate in activities that strengthen the human-animal bond. Pet ownership teaches us about the responsibility we have to the other living beings on this planet, and pets can be just plain fun.

Requirements

1. Present evidence that you have cared for a pet for four months. Get approval before you start.*
2. Write in 200 words or more about the care, feeding, and housing of your pet. Tell some interesting facts about it. Tell why you have this kind of pet. Give local laws, if any, relating to the pet you keep.
3. Show that you have read a book or pamphlet, approved by your counselor, about your kind of pet.
4. Do any ONE of the following:
   1. Show your pet in some pet show.
   2. Start a friend raising a pet like yours. Help your friend get a good start.
   3. Train a pet in three or more tricks or special abilities.

* Work done for other merit badges cannot be used for this requirement.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Animal Science, Bird Study, Dog Care, Fish and Wildlife Management, Horsemanship, Mammal Study, Reptile and Amphibian Study, and Veterinary Medicine merit badge pamphlets

Books

• Anderson, Jane, et al. Pet's Best Friend: What Animals Say About Their Kids. Tallfellow Press, 2001.
• Chrystie, Frances N. Pets. 4th ed. Little, Brown, and Co., 1995.
• Stein, Sara. Great Pets: An Extraordinary Guide to Usual and Unusual Family Pets. Workman Publishing, 1974.

• Birds
  • Rach, Julie, and Gary A. Gallerstein. First Aid for Birds: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet. Hungry Minds, 1998.
  • Spadafori, Gina, and Brian L. Speer. Birds for Dummies. John Wiley and Sons, 2001.
  • Wolter, Annette, et al. Parakeets: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, and Behavior. Barrons Educational Series, 1999.
• Cats
  • Fogle, Bruce. The New Encyclopedia of the Cat. DK Publishing, 2001.
  • Smith, Carin A. 101 Training Tips for Your Cat. Dell Publishing, 1994.
  • Spadafori, Gina, and Paul D. Pion. Cats for Dummies. Hungry Minds, 1997.
• Dogs
  • Baer, Ted. How to Teach Your Old Dog New Tricks. Barrons Educational Series, 1991.
  • Kilcommons, Brian, and Sarah Wilson. Good Owners Great Dogs. Warner Books, 1999.
  • Rutherford, Clarice, and David H. Neil. How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With. Alpine Publications, 1999.
• Fish
  • Axelrod, Herbert, et al. Dr. Axelrod's Mini-Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes. TFH Publications, 1996.
  • Boruchowitz, David E. The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums. TFH Publications, 2001.
  • Fairfield, Terry. A Commonsense Guide to Fish Health. Barrons Educational Series, 2000.
  • Sandford, Gina. An Essential Guide to Choosing Your Tropical Fresh- water Fish. Barrons Educational Series, 2000.
• Small Animals
  • Curran, Wanda L. Your Guinea Pig: A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing. Storey Books, 1995.
  • Von Frisch, Otto. Hamsters. Barrons Educational Series, 1998.
  • Vanderlip, Sharon L. Mice. Barrons Educational Series, 2001.
• Other Pets
  • Bartlett, Richard D., and Patricia P. Bartlett. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barrons Educational Series, 1997.
  • Kanable, Ann. Raising Rabbits. Rodale Press, 1981.
  • Palika, Liz. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. Alpha Books, 1998.
  • Searle, Nancy, and Gwen Steege. Your Rabbit: A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing. Storey Books, 1992.

Organizations and Other Resources

Aquarium Fish, Bird Talk, Cat Fancy, and Reptiles magazines
Fancy Publications Inc.
3 Burroughs
Irvine, CA 92618
Telephone: 949-855-8822
Web site: http://www.animalnetwork.com

American Cat Fanciers Association
P.O. Box 1949
Nixa, MO 65714-1949
Telephone: 417-725-1530
Web site: http://www.acfacat.com

American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive East
Englewood, CO 80112
Toll-free telephone: 800-227-4645
Web site: http://www.americanhumane.org

The American Kennel Club
260 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: 212-696-8200
Web site: http://www.akc.org

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128
Telephone: 212-876-7700
Web site: http://www.aspca.org

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: 202-452-1100
Web site: http://www.hsus.org

SPAY/USA
750 Port Washington Blvd.
Port Washington, NY 11050
Toll-free telephone: 800-248-SPAY
Web site: http://www.spayusa.org