License for owning pets?

I don't think this is necessary. There should never be any hassle to owning a pet. I do agree with you that it is a problem with stray animals, but caring for an animal should be expected, not enforced. Besides, if you adopt from some shelters you sign an agreement to care for the animal and to protect it.

(07-03-2012 12:01 AM)Ram Wrote:  There would be way more accidents if a driver's license isn't required to drive.
Nothing can stop "bad things" from happening completely, but it surely have cut down the number by more than you think.

Not really true. A license does not stop accidents. Driving without a license does not cause accidents. It's careless and irresponsible driving that causes accidents. I say this from my personal observation.

In Thailand, a lot of children ride motorcycles to school before they are old enough to get a license. There are very few accidents involving these children. The reason is that they know how to ride with care. The accidents which I have seen involving motorcycles are caused by people riding recklessly. Whether they had a license or not wouldn't have made any difference. It was the reckless riding that caused the accident not the presence or absence of a license.

What is needed is proper education about safe driving and road ethics.

Back on topic.

The same holds true for licenses for owning pets. The most important point is the knowledge of how to care for a pet and the desire to take good care of a pet. The part about the knowledge can be provided by courses. The part about the desire is something that has to be taught from childhood. It is not an isolated charateristic. The desire to take good care of a pet arises from a respect and love for all living things.

I strongly feel that a license should be mandatory. A lot of people get pets because they saw someone else do it, and don't know how to properly take care of it. There are also differences between similar kind of animals that pet owners should know, but often don't. Owning a dog doesn't make you prepared to own a cat, and there are differences even between different breeds of the same race. So, there should be law-enforced classes and licenses for every pet owner. Along with the license, stronger pet protection laws should be enforced too, otherwise there's no point. Of course, they will always be people who mistreat their pets and breed them illegally, but with proper punishment a lot of people will be discouraged. The license would also serve to weed out people who wouldn't even pay the license fee to own a pet. Honestly, I see nothing bad coming out of it, either it will have a positive impact or none at all.
About the fishing and hunting licenses, it's a bit funny how you need a license to kill some animals, yet you can torture others to death without any charge at all.