What's New Pussycat?—Explaining Public Acceptance of Disease Prevention and Control Measures for Pets

Public acceptance is essential for implementing effective health policies, especially in emotionally sensitive areas like companion animal care. This study investigates how policy design and implementation affect public acceptance of disease prevention and control measures for household pets in Switzerland. Using qualitative analysis of 22 stakeholder interviews and a workshop with 22 participants, the research identifies key factors influencing public acceptance, such as emotional bonds between owners and pets, trust in authorities, and communication quality. Veterinarians emerge as especially influential due to their trusted role in relation to pets and their health. The study also highlights stakeholder‐specific expectations and the need for early, transparent communication from the side of public authorities. Further, it identifies distinct owner subgroups that require tailored strategies. The findings contribute to policy design by applying and extending acceptance theory frameworks and offering practical insights into enhancing compliance and support for pet‐related health policies through stakeholder collaboration and emotionally aware communication.