i think that if you cant afford the dog/cat any type of pet for that matter...most likely you will not be able to afford the vet bills, or emergency visits to the hospital. but i also think its unfair for families of low income, its a bit emotionally confusing, isnt it?
2006-11-20 14:29:54 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
paintedrain2 has a good point...but he said it BASIC, what to do when it comes to something more complex.
and for the girl above him there is such thing as welfare that helps low income families...a kid cannot be compare to a pet, it is hard for help to be denyed to a family..but a pet has it rough
2006-11-20 14:38:29 · update #1
now do we agree with this girls Bollywood & Tirya. a dog is already suffering in the pound, and in the streets. this is where it get confusing for me because i sorta agree...but my heart breaks to see dogs like that. shouldnt you do EVERYTHING possible for an aminal, that need your help?
2006-11-20 14:43:37 · update #2
by the way am in the low income, and family of 4!!! with 2 small/mid size dogs and a cat, two of this pets are rescued
2006-11-20 14:58:25 · update #3
I can tell you that I can't afford my 4 pets. BUT I do what I have to do to make sure they have quality food, regular vet visits as well as money put aside for emergencies. It's not easy, but I love my animals, and I will go hungry before they do. I gave them a home and even if it kills me they will be well cared for. I couldn't imagine life without them. Especially being stressed all time (money, ex a**hole not wanting to be a father, hate my job, etc.) having pets helps calm me and relieve my stress.
2006-11-20 14:37:07 · answer #1 · answered by KJ 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'm poor, but I'm not wellfare poor, yet. Ah, the life of a college student. We have 5 pets. None of them have never gone without food, mainly because we factor in the cost of pet food. We also have a credit card for emergencies, so if something came up then one of the animals could get emergency help.
I think having a pet is valuable, especially to children. I don't think it's wise for a low budget family to have an expensive pet, such as a cat or dog. But what about a rat or the like? Rats can eat what humans eat in a pinch and they kind of have the same personalitly thing as a dog.
I live in the mid-west area and around here there are programs for the elderly or low-budget family to get a discount on altering their pets. I'm sure there's a vet around here somewhere that has a sliding scale.
2006-11-20 16:18:02 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel N 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it can be done if the people choose a pet that is affordable according to their income. There are more than cats and dogs in the world. You can get goldfish, which are extremely cheap to keep and can be very good pets. Hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. are a lower maintenance animal and have shorter life expectancies, therefore, they are cheaper. There are so many alternatives for people who have a low income. Sometimes we can't get exactly what we want because of our income. I would hope most people realize their financial shortcomings and pick a pet based on what they can realistically afford. You certainly can't be happy having an animal you love and not be able to care for it properly due to financial limitations.
For those who say that they don't have the money, but have a pet and save up for their needs. Well, you do have the money because you can save up for them. I think that is fine. Not everything has to be done immediately. It is the people who don't even have the money to put away that I believe the question is referring too. God Bless the lady who is kenneling the pets until she can afford to alter them.
2006-11-20 14:49:40 · answer #3 · answered by Animaholic 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok..lets look at the flip side here...Its not that I cant afford a dog I just dont want to pay that kind of money but I want a dog and can afford to take care of it. Just cause someone says they want a cheap or free dog doesnt mean they cant afford it. Some people think its ridiculous to pay so much money for a pet and so they dont but they sure do go through great lengths to provide for it. I also know people that cant afford it but they accept the responsibility and go in the poor house when that animal is sick. I know vets that will actually help these people since they give such loving homes and animals deserve this. There are alot of sides to this and it all depends on the situation. I know people that can afford it all but are too cheap to spend their money on their pets.
2006-11-20 14:43:45 · answer #4 · answered by Ivory_Flame 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am in the category of the "low income", I love my pets to death, and I would do anything for them, my vet is understanding and takes payments when I need to go to him. If only rich people could own pets there would be even more cats and dogs getting put down and not getting a chance to be with a loving family.
2006-11-20 14:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by kathy_B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel that anyone who owns a dog/cat should be prepared to pay for any emergency. A pet is like a child, they depend on you for everything, food, shelter, medical needs. As long as the people are able to find the money somehow when it is needed to care for the pet, then I say yes, go ahead and have a pet, but if you do not know where your next meal is coming from, or how you will get next month's rent paid, then a pet will not be cared for properly because the family will always come first.
2006-11-20 15:17:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is a mixed up issue, and emotionally charged for sure.
Pets are not for everyone. They do cost money even if they are "FREE". Vet bills and medical care are not cheap, food is not free either. But I have seen people WITH money be neglectful with their pets, and lower income families sacrifice things to get care for their pets. It goes both ways. Families with low income surely are well intentioned pet owners, but the fact is it costs money, and often that is overlooked when facing an adorable puppy from a newspaper ad thats giving them away.
2006-11-20 14:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I understand that love doesn't feed a animal, and that hugs and kisses wont stop a hungry belly!
i also agree that dog like people need three things to survive water, food and love!
and so having said that just because you don't take your dog to the vet on a regular visit,doesn't make you evil and not Worthy of a animal!
If you can love a animal, feed him daily, and protect him, then you have all the rights to have it!
2006-11-20 14:48:43 · answer #8 · answered by Montella 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What do you suppose that same low-income family would do if one of them got sick & had to go to the doctor.....
Same is true... with Pet Ownership comes a comitment to properly care for that animal
I am not saying Don't Adopt a Pet... I am just saying, know & find a way to deal with the responsibilities that come with it :)
2006-11-20 14:40:01 · answer #9 · answered by Bama 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People don't think enough about their financial futures. Forget being able to afford a dog, which isn't cheap. People have KIDS that they can't afford to feed... I think that's a bigger issue than people not being able to afford their pets (though, being a shelter volunteer, it irks me when people get a dog, then bring it back if it gets sick, or because they can't feed it - don't buy something if you can't afford it)
2006-11-20 14:34:03 · answer #10 · answered by KB 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋