why do people become so offended when you inform them that pets are not "free"?

Question

I'm sooooooooooo sick of people asking quesitons on what to do with their sick cat. they all tell everyone that they DO NOT have any money for a vet. these people want a cat/dog but then don't realize the responsibility of how much pets cost!!! obviously, they can't afford the money to spay/neuter, vaccinate, etc. pets ARE NOT FREE!!!! when you decide to adopt a cat/dog or any kind of pet than you are making a big commitment and plan to spend tons of money in the future on them. they can't expect not to spend any money on them EVER!!!!!!! cats/dogs cost money and if you can't afford to take him/her to the vet than you have absolutly no business owning them!!!!! you should give them away to people who CAN afford to pay for their vet bills and vaccinations, etc. who all agrees with me!!!!!! i'ts sooooooooo sad that some people are sooooooo ignorant these days!! another life is in your hands and if you can't afford to take care of them then you are letting them down!!!

these people truly need to stop being so idiotic and irresponsible!!!!! I get sooooo pissed off when I read questions like this!!

it's like, common sense tells you that you can't afford to take care of him/her!

cope: obviously you don't see my point, so therefore don't answer my damn question!!

my point is that people choose to adopt a pet but then soon realize that they are financially unstable to care for it!

Answer 1

I get angry about this too. The problem is, some hillbilly walks into a pet store, sees a cute puppy, and suddenly everything else is an afterthought. I work at a kennel, and we require all vaccinations to be up to date. People get nasty about this. And you can't explain to them that being unvaccinated endangers not only their own pet, but other animals in our facility. People simply don't think ahead. They don't think that that puppy will soon turn into a dog, and require about the same care and expense as a child. I have also worked at many veterinary clinics where the people will end up screaming and shouting in the lobby over their bill. One woman actually told us we were all going to hell for charging her for her pets visit, since she was impoverished as it is. The really sad part was that she had bought the lab from a "breeder" and paid a hefty penny for it. I agree with you that people are ignorant, and this is never going to change. We'd find perfectly good animals on the doorsteps of the clinic, inside cardboard boxes with a note "can't afford to feed her, and she's pregenant." People need to understand that animals DO NEED TO EAT, and WILL get pregnant if you don't fix them, and WILL GET SICK and WILL GET OLD and they're counting on us to take care of them. Just thinking about it p*sses me off!

Answer 2

It is not that cut and dry when owning a pet. I have always had my kittens get spayed/neutered and their shots and have even spent hundreds of dollars on their later care when I could not even afford health care for myself.
The problem is so many people just go out and get a pet without realizing they are not play things but living creatures and are not here for our amusement. But for our love and caring and in return you receive the same.
These same people grow up and have children. Financially inept to afford another's well being... but what the hell, like a pet you can go out and buy, a child you can biologically bring in to the world.
Americans do not think before doing anything.
I have rescued animals from people I know, who have treated their pets well fare deplorably... snatched them from their non-caretakers and reported them to authorities. Guess what - the fines are so low the idiots just replace the pets. And these same people are planning on having children...
Also, I agree with another writer above, that if you come upon financial hard times, you don't just give the animal away. You love them and they love you... That part of your question is insensitive and unfair. Just becuz U R poor doesn't mean you won't be a good pet person... Then I guess one should just commit suicide just becuz they can't afford their own medical expenses...

Answer 3

I think many people adopt a pet for the wrong reasons, like "oh it's so cute!" Or they want companionship or a watch dog. They don't do any research into how much shots costs or a dog license or checkups at the vet.

I have invested in VPI pet insurance for my dog when I first got her. I pay $33 a month and it's worth it. She's had two really bad bladder infections that were cost me close to $500. I paid; sent in the bill to VPI signed by her vet and got reimbursed for 80% of the bill each time. Her first year shots were free. She's covered if she ever has to have surgery or stay overnight.

Because she's part Sharpei she has skin allergies, which means she cannot eat just any kind of food. She's allergic to corn which is in just about every cheap dog food there is. So, I have to buy her the Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul brand of kibble which doesn't have corn and also has very healthy ingredients like salmon. Because I want her coat and skin to be healthy I also order omega 6 oil for her from Drs Foster and Smith.

You're right pets are not "free." Sometimes when I look at my bank account I just shake my head, but you know that's the price I pay because I love my dog and she's a wonderful part of our family.

So, folks out there who are considering getting a pet, PLEASE understand they aren't just "window dressing" there just for your entertainment. They should be considered part of your family and they have needs, and when they are ill they need treatment, and every year they need a complete checkup. These kinds of expenses should be thought about BEFORE you decide to adopt a pet.

Answer 4

You know som ppl arent so fortunate as others . they dont have that kind of money so stop hatin' . i know what ur thinking . If they could afford a computer and internet they should have enough money to pay for their dog right? wrong they could be at a library where internet is at a low cost . So if u read a question starting with " Help!!! something is wrong with my cat/dog" or "Is there a place where i could get my dog/cat to the vet at a low cost" just ignore that question and help urself from all that stress ur causing urself. and answer a better question.

i also agree with cope_acetic



and also dont be saying people dont have common sense when u dont have any urself u say u get mad when u read these quetions and still u read them . Unless u like getting mad , im on ur side

Answer 5

Ok, you have a very valid point and by the use of your exclamation points you are very passionate about your point of view. But consider that many people love thier pets so much they consider them part of thier family. These pets are very much like children. We can take our children to free clinics when our finances are depleated, but there are fewer systems for pets. Responsible pet owners will definately check into the reduced fees available for spaying and neutering thier animals but it breaks my heart to know that someone has to put thier pet down because they can no longer afford the vet bills. How would the world be if we treated our elderly and children this way?

Answer 6

Well, then there are people like me. I'm not sure who's question you were answering, but I do rescues. And why do I do rescues? Because there are so many idiots in the world. I can't afford the ones I have either, simply because the world is so overrun with cats that nobody wants. But I still give them food and a warm place to live and I work with local organizations to help with their bills. They get love and I care, and I enjoy them, thats why I have so many.

Answer 7

You know, there was once another person here on yahoo answers who was as i put it on a soap box advocating how the less fortunate should not own pets.
She must have had a nervous breakdown or something because she isn't involved with yahoo answers any more
You make it sound like you are a spoiled little rich kid or someone with very deep pockets.
you call people irrisponsible and iddiots, who in the hell do you think you are, who died and left you in charge.
It's self righous people like you that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, By the way dont use caps when answering other questions yahoo says it is very impolite!

Answer 8

That annoys me too. I think some people expect getting a cat is like getting new shoes...you show them off for awhile and they're great, but after that you can just shove them in your closet and forget about them.

So not true.

We've spend so much money on our cats, it's not even funny. Thing is, we're happy to do it, because they are great, loving companions that deserve the best care.

People need to realize this. It's not like you have to buy your cat a puer gold litterbox and a diamond encrusted food dish, but if you want your pet to be happy you need to spend a little money. Amimals give so much love to their owners, it should be our job to repay them, not just with love but with the right amount of money to insure they are happy and healthy.

And I totally agree with you...if someone is not able to care for their cat, then why get one? Why inflict so much sadness on the cat...and yourself...because you're not smart enought to realize you're not ready to be a cat-parent?

But that is just another example of the world today!

Answer 9

True.... so true. LOL!!

A friend of mine once remarked, "That FREE kitten ended up costing me $300."

It's pathetic how young people seem to always want a pet as soon as they get out on their own. And they can barely afford to support themselves, much less take on something like that.

But they have to learn that themselves. And it's better that they learn it by having an animal, than if they bring a human into the world that they can't afford.

Answer 10

You're definitely right, and in addition to wrongly considering a "free" pet free of monetary burdens, many people also consider a trained, housebroken, adult dog to be "free" in terms of time, as well. The truth is that even the best trained and most healthy dog will be a sizeable financial and time commitment.