Pet Know How – A new online resource for pet owners

7 April 2025

The BSAVA, together with the Pet Charity, the British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) and the Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) have developed a website to provide prospective pet owners with essential knowledge about the care of a range of species and also to support owners make more informed buying choices. The website covers many popular species (aside from dogs and cats) encountered by veterinary professionals in small animal practice on a daily basis, who may find it a useful resource for their clients.

Insufficient husbandry knowledge is a common source of low welfare pet care and can be a particular issue for non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs). The Pet Know How website contains resources to help owners choose the right pet for their lifestyle and financial circumstances, together with detailed information on the husbandry and care of a range of species, including small mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles. The website provides free, accessible information for existing pet owners, with downloadable care sheets for each species and a series of educational presentations, ensuring access to validated, evidence-based guidance.

Alongside these resources, the website offers prospective and existing owners the opportunity to take an interactive test to demonstrate their understanding of the care of their species of choice and the level of commitment required as part of responsible pet ownership. Once completed, owners are supplied with a Pet Know-How certificate which serves as evidence of a basic level of care knowledge, assisting pet sellers in fulfilling their legal obligation to verify the buyer’s preparedness for pet ownership. Veterinary professionals may also find the information useful as part of a check-list to assist in the assessment of the husbandry of animals presented to them for care.

Visit https://www.petknowhow.org/ to find out more.

BSAVA supports the Pet Know How initiative as part of its commitment to encouraging responsible pet ownership and supporting the welfare of NTCAs.

Our joint policy position on housing pet rabbits in compatible pairs or groups with BVA and BVZSA highlighted the need for greater owner awareness of the health and welfare benefits of companionship for pet rabbits.

BSAVA have a range of Client Information Leaflets (CILs) on small mammals and reptiles available to download and print to provide clients with further in-depth resources on the care of these species. Access to our CILs is available through the BSAVA library and is free for BSAVA members.