Some diseases transmissible between pets and humans require welfare-sensitive management approaches that protect both animal and human health without unnecessary harm to companion animals.
Zoonotic disease concerns sometimes lead to welfare-compromising responses to companion animals — mass rehoming of pets during disease outbreaks, abandonment out of unfounded fear, and disproportionate responses to low-risk situations. The welfare-aware approach recognises that companion animals carry some zoonotic risk but manages this through hygiene practices and regular veterinary care rather than abandonment or extreme restriction. During COVID-19, some animals were rehomed or abandoned out of unfounded fear; evidence showed they were not a significant transmission route. Responsible pet keeping involves informed risk management, not rejection of animal companionship.