Pets Merit BadgeBoy Scouts of America

Requirement 1Present evidence that you have cared for a pet for four months. Get approval before you start*

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

Be a Responsible Pet OwnerIt takes time, effort and money to care for a

pet properly. You must provide:FoodShelterHealth Care:

Vaccinations Preventative measures

Exercise

If you already have a pet, consider whether you are caring for it in the best possible way.

With your parents’ approval, make changes to improve your pets quality of life.

If you are choosing a pet, remember: Do not keep wild

animals such as squirrels, raccoons, or opossums as pets.

Wild animals should be left in their natural habitat and enjoyed only when encountered there.

Also, wild animals could carry disease and pests such ticks, fleas and rabies.

Requirement 2Write 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.

DogsWhen choosing a dog consider the following:

Large dog or small oneMale or FemaleShed or non-sheddingConsider the breed:

hunting, guarding, herding, tracking, racing personality, good with children, calm, barks, size

Do you live in a apartment or a house with a fenced yard

Age: puppy versus adult dog

Just for fun…what am I?

Can you match the name to the correct dog breed? Dalmation, Dobermain Pinscher, Poodle,Dachshund, Pug, Beagle, Siberian Husky,

BulldogGolden Retriever, German Shepherd,

Rottweiler

General Dog CareVeterinarian

Vaccination for canine, for example: distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough, canine parvovirus, rabies

Heartworm, flea and tick preventionObedience and house-trainingSocialization and behavior trainingExercise GroomingTeeth, foot and nail carePlenty of fresh water

General Dog CareHouse-Training , Crate TrainingSocializationHousing your dog

Need shelter and daylong shadeFood

Keeping your dog’s food bowl full might be easier for you, but some dogs will overeat by trying to consume all the food in the bowl and could become obese

Do not feed a dog pork bones, chicken bones, chop bones, T-bones, or other bones that could splinter.

Laws and OrdinancesKnow the animal ordinances in your area (check

with local veterinarian, animal control center, city police to learn the laws you must follow). They may include:Leash LawsPooper-Scooper LawsLicensing LawsRabies Vaccination LawsNuisance LawsDangerous , Vicious Dog Laws or Breed-Specific LawsSpaying and Neutering LawsWild or Exotic Animal Laws

CatsWhen choosing a cat

consider the following:Male or FemaleConsider the breed:

Long haired, short haired, large or small breed

Do you live in a apartment or a house with a fenced yard

Do you have other pets?

Just for fun…what am I?

Can you match the name to the correct cat breed?

Bengal, Main Coon, Sphynx, Tabby, Siamese, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese,

Russian Blue, Bombay

General Cat CareVeterinarian

Vaccination for example: feline distemper, respiratory, feline leukemia and rabies

worm, flea and ear mites preventionLitter box trainingSocialization and interaction with other animalsExercise Teeth, nail care (scratching post)Plenty of fresh waterFood (with a vet’s guidance, make adjustments

as needed)

FishWhen choosing a fish consider the following:

Tank sizeEquipment: filter, heating, lighting, nets, air pump,

tank thermometer, underwater décor, gravel, Location of the aquarium Water balance and how to add the fishType of fish examples: goldfish, tropical, tetra Food and feeding: live, flakes, pellets (each fish

type is different, buying the correct food is important for healthy fish)

Cleaning

Just for fun…what am I?

Can you match the name to the correct fish?

Bala Shark, Vampire Tetra, Beta Fish, Clown Fish, Tetra

Sucker Fish, Goldfish, Glow Fish

BirdsWhen choosing a bird consider the following:

Breed: various life spansEquipment: cages, removable tray, removable

food and water cups, cuttlebone FeedingCare: trim bird’s nails (a vet can show you how

with an emery board) Location is key: kitchens can overheat the bird,

in the bedroom the bird may keep you from sleeping

Just for fun…what am I?

Can you match the name to the correct bird?

Canary, Carrier Pigeon, Finch, Love Birds, Macaw, Parakeet,

Cockatiel, Cockatoo

Small petsWhen choosing other small pets consider the

following:Types (guinea pigs, hamsters, mice): various life

spansEquipment: cages, food trays, water sipper tube,

exercise balls, good bedding , chewing toys or treatsFeedingLocation is key: may of these animals are nocturnalSafety: Is the animal appropriate around children?Allergies?

Just for fun…what am I?

Can you match the correct name?Ball Python, Corn Snake, Chameleon, Bearded

Dragon, Royal Dandy Pig, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Ferret,

Teddy Bear Hamster, Dumbo Rat, Blue RatHouse Mouse, Deer Mouse, Lionheart Rabbit,

Holland Lop

Requirement 3Show that you have read a book or pamphlet, approved by your counselor, about your kind

of pet.

Find out more about your pet:

Guidelines for Responsible Pet Owners

Observe all laws, ordinances, and neighborhood rules regarding pets.

Spay or neuter all dogs and cats that will not be used for breeding.

Give your pet the proper nutrition, and veterinary care as required.

Be courteous; respect the property of others. Always dispose of wastes and bedding in a

proper manner, and always practice good personal sanitation.

Requirement 4Do any ONE of the following:

a. Show your pet in a pet show.b. Start a friend raising a pet like yours. Help

your friend get a good start.

c. Train a pet in three or more tricks or special abilities.

Training Your DogLearning how to respond to basic obedience

commands can literally save a dog’s life in today’s busy world. Obedience training can begin when dogs are 4 to 6 months old and continue throughout a dog’s lifetime. Obedience-trained dogs make better pets, have fewer behavior problems and generally bond more closely with their owners.

There are many training methods. The most important part of training your dog is consistency and fairness.

Dog Training

Training Your CatCats learn by watching. Therefore, teaching

your cat tricks takes a lot of patience and repetition. Because cats normally scratch trees or the ground to remove the old nail casings on their claws, it is important to teach your cat to use a scratching post instead of your furniture.

Cat Training

Training Your BirdSome bird breeds train easier than others. For example, a

canary is easy to train. You can teach your bird to perch on a T-stick and then on your fingers. Once you and your canary become pals, open the cage door and hold the T-stick in the cage. In time, the bird will hop onto the stick. Once the canary learns to stay there, slowly draw the bird and the stick out of the doors. Make sure all the windows, shades of blinds and doors are closed in case the bird flies off the stick. Also, be sure no ceiling fans are in use. Do not chase the bird if it flies. Simply leave the cage door open and the bird will return when it is ready.

If you are tempted to teach your bird to whistle, wait until you have taught it to talk. Once it learns how to whistle, it might not want to learn how to talk.

Bird Training

Showing Your PetCats and dogs can be exhibited in official cat

and dog shows, while any animal can be exhibited at an ordinary pet show.

Even Guinea Pigs are exhibited at some county and state farm shows, or local community show.

Help A Friend

Requirement Overview:___ 1. *Get approval to start, then show 4 months care___ 2. 200 word report___ 3. Read book or pamphlet___ 4. Choose ONE: show pet in show, help a friend start raising a pet, or train a pet with 3 trick

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

ResourcesBoy Scouts of America

Pets Merit Badge Series, 2010

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