Pets Merit Badge Overview
Pet ownership is a mixture of fun, excitement, responsibility, commitment, expense, and learning. Besides providing a window into the animal world, owning pets gives us opportunities to participate in activities that strengthen the human-animal bond. Pet ownership teaches us about the responsibility we have to the other living beings on this planet, and pets can be just plain fun.
Pets Merit Badge Requirements
1. Present evidence that you have cared for a pet for four months. Get approval before you start.*
2. Write 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.
3. Show that you have read a book or pamphlet, approved by your
counselor, about your kind of pet. Discuss with your counselor what you have learned from what you read.
4. Do ONE of the following:
- (a) Show your pet in some 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.