Guardian or Owner - What's best for pets?

Industry leaders are working to eliminate the barriers to the awesome pet experience pet families desire. As they have discovered, sometimes it is the very language used by industry that creates problems for pets and pet families.

Legal minds are addressing what is best for both parties when it comes to the use of words like guardian or ownership. In 2003, 2005 and again in 2010 the AVMA addressed the situation as follows: 

The American Veterinary Medical Association promotes the optimal health and welfare of animals. Further, the AVMA recognizes the role of responsible owners in providing for their animals' care. Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners, including "guardian," does not strengthen this relationship and may, in fact, harm it. Such changes in terminology may adversely affect the ability of society to obtain and deliver animal services and, ultimately, result in animal suffering.  (Approved by the AVMA Executive Board May 2003; Revised by the Task Force on Legal Status of Animals-AVMA Executive Board April 2005; Reaffirmed by the AVMA Executive Board April 2010)

In October a US lawyer, well known for her advocacy on behalf of 'Pit Bulls' wrote a blog that discusses the use of these words in some depth.

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