“Guardianship” recognized in Fort Lauderdale
April 25th, 2008 by admin
Last week, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission gave final approval to an ordinance adding the word “guardian” to references of animal “ownership” in the city’s code of ordinances (the ordinance will now refer to “ownership and/or guardianship”). Fort Lauderdale is the first municipality in Florida to make such a change.
“Guardian” is a much better word to describe the relationship people have with the animals they share their lives with. Most people recognize animals as individuals, not objects; they do not consider dogs or cats to be their property.
Although the addition of “guardian” in Fort Lauderdale’s ordinance does not affect the legal status of animals, a simple change in language can be important in changing public attitudes about animals