Whether it’s a social post, a poster or signage at the local dog park, the pet pictures you show are a critical part of your message. For example, even if it’s an adorable photo, a picture of a pet in public without a leash suggests it’s okay not to use one. A dog hanging out of a car window implies driving that way is safe, even though it actually is not.

To avoid encouraging unsafe behaviors, don’t use pictures that include:

• Pets that aren’t leashed.
• Pets that aren’t wearing ID collars.
• Pets wearing choke chains, pronged collars, head harnesses, shock collars or muzzles.
• Pets whose leash is tangled in a potentially dangerous way.
• Pets wearing clothing, hats or other items that are tight, dangling or otherwise potentially unsafe.
• Pets in unsafe places or precarious positions.
• Pets eating people food (since some people foods are dangerous for pets).
• Pets playing with inappropriate toys such as sticks or raw bones.
• Pets riding unsecured in cars, hanging out car windows, or in truck beds.
• Pets fighting.
• Pets playing with kids without adult supervision.
• Pets that appear unhealthy or obese.

There are many resources for cute photos of pets, but some don’t take these considerations into account. Be sure to stop and evaluate each photo to make sure it demonstrates the choices you want pet owners to make.

Want more tips? Check out the Responsible Pet Ownership Communication Toolkit for help spreading the word on topics from local pet ordinances to pet waste cleanup to emergency preparedness.