Unfortunately, the costs of implementing the licensing and education program for pet ownership qualification would likely exceed any revenue generated by licensing fees or civil penalties for violations. Nevertheless, in principle, the idea is worth considering. The two most important goals of any pet ownership licensing requirement would be (1) to ensure that new pet owners are aware of their pet's needs, and (2) enforcement of violations. In that regard, violators and those convicted of animal cruelty could be permanently prohibited from future pet ownership. Less serious violations could be addressed by temporary restrictions and requirement for animal sensitivity training as a necessary precondition to future pet ownership eligibility. This would make particular sense where neglect results from innocent ignorance rather than willful criminal or violent animal abuse.

One of the most difficult conceptual problems with addressing animal abuse through licensing requirements is illustrated by the fact that mere licensing is not a guarantee against undesirable conduct: many states already require dog and/or cat licenses, but nothing about that procedure prevents licensed pet owners from neglecting or abusing their pets. Consider that drivers licenses are required in all 50 states, but serious driving violations occur every day.

Another conceptual difficulty is defining abuse in the context of animal ownership, when we routinely raise and process animals for human consumption.

Granted, some animals (like dogs and cats, for...

Similarly, what are the obligations in connection with owning an animal as a pet that many people do consume in this culture?
Pigs, for example, are widely considered to be even more intelligent as pets than dogs (Moussaieff-Masson, 1995). Surely, their moral right to humane treatment should not depend on whether another species designate them as a "pet" or as a "food."

Finally, it is difficult to impose licensing requirements for pet ownership when no license is required to become parents of another human being. Pet licensing in some form is a very useful idea, but ultimately, when it comes to compassion and morality, even toward animals, education and moral cultural values will always be more important than enforcement through legislation and penal consequences.

References

Coren, S. The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions. (1995) New York: Bantam

Dodman, N.H. (2002) if Only They Could Speak: Stories about Pets and Their People. New York: W.W. Norton

Moussaieff-Masson, J. (1995) When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals. New York: Bantam.

Schmalleger, F. (1997) Criminal Justice Today. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Tangley, L. (10/30/2000) Animal Emotions: Do Animals Have Feelings?;

U.S. News & World Report.

Thomas, E.M. The Hidden Life of Dogs.

1993) New York: Houghton-Mifflin