What is the Guardian Campaign?
A reader recently asked me about the Guardian Campaign.
According to its website, Guardian Campaign “was created in 1999 by In Defense of Animals (IDA) to reflect and nurture the growing sentiment that "owner" does not reflect the bond that develops between people and animals. IDA believes "guardian" denotes a higher level of responsibility, caring and respect toward the animals with whom families share their lives.”
Almost two dozen cities and the State of Rhode Island have enacted legislation that interchanges the terms owner and guardian for companion animals.
Typical language will state then when used in reference to any person or persons caring animals, ‘guardian’ is equivalent to owner, a guardian shall have the same rights and responsibilities or an ‘owner’, and both terms shall be used interchangeably.
Most legal experts agree that the language does not change the legal status of the animals, in that most states still consider companion animals to be personal property.
http://www.pettrustlawblog.com/admin/trackback/254654
