Proper Pet Care Is Not a Favor. It’s a Responsibility. When you choose to have a pet, you choose to be responsible—for life.

ORANJESTAD – The Department of Public Health (DVG) is reminding all pet owners that providing proper care is not a favor. It is a responsibility.

Pets depend on us for their health, safety, and well-being. Love is not just something we say—it is something we show through the care we provide every day.

Being a responsible pet owner means making sure your pet has everything it needs to live a healthy, safe life free from unnecessary suffering.

Every dog deserves basic care

Under the Dog Ordinance, every dog must:

  • Receive sufficient, good-quality food;
  • have access to clean drinking water at all times;
  • be protected from the sun, rain, and wind;
  • receive veterinary care when needed; and
  • have enough space to move around, even when kept on a leash.

No access to water, inadequate shelter from the heat, untreated wounds, hunger, or lack of space are not simply signs of neglect. They are signs that an animal’s basic needs are not being met.

Pay attention. Every day.

Responsible pet ownership means paying attention to your animal and noticing when something changes.

Changes in appetite, weight, behavior, skin, coat, or the way your pet walks or moves may be signs that something is wrong.

Don’t wait until it becomes an emergency.

If your pet is sick, injured, in pain, or showing unusual changes, make sure it receives the care it needs—and seek veterinary attention when necessary.

See an animal suffering? Speak up.

If you see an animal that is suffering or not receiving proper care, take action and report it to the appropriate authorities.

When making a report, provide as much specific information as possible, including what you observed and where it occurred. Your information can help authorities respond appropriately.

Awareness is important. But awareness without action is not enough.

Protecting animals is a shared responsibility. Together, we can help make sure that animals in Aruba receive the care, protection, and compassion they deserve.

Your actions matter.

Be a responsible pet owner.

The care you provide today can change an animal’s life—and may even save it.

Love your pet.
Protect its well-being.
Take responsibility.

Together, we can work toward an Aruba where no animal is abandoned or left to suffer unnecessarily.

Stay informed

Legal basis:
Dog Ordinance, Article 2, and Animal Welfare Regulation, AB 2013 No. 67. 

Responsible pet owner