Pet Privileges and Rules: Truth and Consequences. When a child neglects an animal, have a consequence ready.
Perhaps the other siblings can be paid to do the neglected chore out of the delinquent child’s allowance.
Or, TV privileges are lost for a week.
Maybe the kid has to do extra chores to compensate for Mom taking over the task. But there has to be consequences.
Consider the Tom Sawyer fence approach.
Make animal care look like fun. Make walking the dog or brushing the cat seem like a privilege that they have to earn.
This really works especially well in households with several siblings sharing an animal.
Instead of issuing threats, help kids come up with solutions to the animal neglect problem. (Keep in mind, however, that sometimes your child won't be able to care for an animal because they have band practice or they’re going to camp. Be ready to fill in or let them hire a sibling.)
If siblings have their own four-legged responsibilities, maybe they could switch off. Try to make it their problem, but help them work out a solution.
And if their solution is you, help them figure out how they can make it up to you. Wash your car, perhaps? Do the day's load of laundry? Your call, but make sure they do make it up to you or pretty soon, you'll be the only one caring for the animal. And that's probably not why you agreed to bring him or her home.
Do not make giving up the the animal a consequence of a child's not caring for it.
This teaches her that animals are dispensable. Do you want her to get rid of you later on when she loses interest?
Animals, once acquired, become a permanent part of the family - unless someone develops a severe allergy or other medical condition, or the pet starts biting.
Bringing it home is a serious commitment for the whole family. And learning that love requires commitment, care and sacrifices is probably one of the best life lessons you can share with your child.
