This paper investigates the factors that affect pet adoption and responsible pet care practices among individuals in India. With the rising number of pet owners in urban and semi-urban areas, it has become the need of the hour to understand the levels of awareness, behavioral attitudes, and perceptions of responsibility to improve animal welfare results. The purpose of this study was to determine adoption preferences, knowledge of grooming, vaccination, diet, and training procedures, and determine the relationship between adoption preferences and responsible pet care practices.

A quantitative and descriptive research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms. The questionnaire included closed-ended and Likert-scale questions related to adoption preferences, preventive healthcare awareness, grooming behavior, diet, training attitudes, and long-term responsibility. A total of 168 valid responses were gathered using convenience sampling. Data analysis was conducted via frequency distribution, percentage analysis, and comparative analysis of the responses.

The results show a clear preference for ethical adoption, with a majority preferring shelter adoption or rescuing stray animals. The level of awareness regarding vaccination and grooming is moderately high, although there are clear gaps in preventive healthcare responsibility and nutrition. Attitudes towards training are generally positive, with a majority recognizing the importance of training in enhancing the human-animal relationship. Although responsible rehoming was generally supported, inconsistencies in attitudes towards vaccination and regular veterinary care suggest that there is a need for further public education on these issues.