Can't afford pets?

Question

Why do people get pets they can't afford? I read questions all the time from people who can't afford to take their pets to the vet. Don't they understand that when you get a pet it is a living creature and will need care? Don't they know that it's illegal in some places not to provide care for a pet? Geez!

Answer 1

They look at these cute little kittens and puppies who seem healthy right now and never think about the future and what it might hold. I also think there they sit on a computer with internet and their pet is dying but yet they can't afford to go to the vet.

Answer 2

I am totally with you on this one, it makes my blood boil!

I suppose one way it happens is that kids put pressure on parents, especially at Christmas time, reslult being that the parents think a tiny kitten or puppy "won't be that much trouble or expense" and give in to the kids.

Then the animal grows, needs more food, needs inoculation, needs spaying/neutering, maybe has health problems or exhibits behavioural problems - and so out it goes.

I imagine that this is pretty much how it happens - but I want to state most strongly that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO D***N EXCUSE FOR IT! It's akin to people having children they don't want because they can't be bothered using contraception.

We have four cats who are deeply loved and who have never wanted for ANY treatment they have needed. We have them insured, which is only around £15.00 a month, with a £50 excess payable on any treatment.

We've had more than our share of financial problems over the last few years due to unemployment but we have never, ever missed an insurance payment, we've gone without things we wanted rather than do that. And, on occasion, we've willingly sold the odd item to raise the cash to pay the £50 excess. It would never occur to us to do otherwise. Very sadly, it's clear that a great many others don't think that way.

I think that the education system should take some responsibility in that there should be a COMPULSORY module for all kids that includes how to care for any animals they may take responsibility for. It should also include sexual health and contraception, child care, domestic science and basic household finance.

Never having been a parent I'm not up on the National Curriculum, there may well be such a module but if there is I have to say there's not much evidence that it's being properly delivered! (Btw I am in the UK.)

Answer 3

Yes, and then they blame the vet for charging enough to make a living, and for refusing to offer them credit when they have no credit on their own. The bank won't offer them credit, and they can't get a credit card, but they expect their vet to agree to take payments. They usually offer $5 a month on a $500 bill. Then they say they don't want all those diagnostics, they just want their pet treated, as if the vet can see exactly what it wrong and how to treat it just by looking.

Answer 4

Well they can get pets that don't require vets... it tarantulas, scorpions and most fish! Easy to maintain (some) and not expensive food (heck for the Ts you can find it food if your daring enough!).. However I do agree that it's sad people get pets and don't think beyond the fact of having an animal. They forget about all the care required (shots, food, excercise) and when that comes up they look stupid for saying "I don't have enough money". Well DUH! woudl you ahve a kid if you knew you couldn't care for it?

Answer 5

Than you see on TV people who don't feed their pet or leave it behind. If you couldn't take care of the pet than why did you get it in the first place. People who leave the collars on for months than they get embedded. people like that really piss me off. and most of the time they get away with it.

Answer 6

To be honest with you. I think there is definately a line when it comes to paying for vet costs. For example, my cat is an indoor cat. She is 7 years old and healthy. She's been to the vet twice in her life. Once to get fixed and once because I thought she had worms. I don't take her to get regular check-ups or anything like that-because she's an animal. Animals are not people. Do I take my son to get regular check-ups? Of course! He's a person. Let's keep it in perspective. When I hear stories about people putting their animals on insulin and the such, I think it's so riduculous. I've had cats all my life (and other animals too) and I've never taken them to the vet for check-ups, shots, etc. I just don't think it's neccessary. And by the way, I can afford to do it, I just don't.

Answer 7

As I've often said, these are the same people who have a ton of kids they can't afford to take care of. People who can't care for themselves should be banned from having children or pets.

Answer 8

I agree and it should be illegal in more places than just some of those places. Pets need care, too, they have feelings, they feel pain.

Answer 9

I agree 100% with that. I have several Pitt-Bulls and (groan) a teacup poodle and several horses. I took the poodle and the horses away from a couple that abused them and didnt provide for them. they said they were going to call the cops on me...I said please do...one of the horses had to be put down and I am still trying to get the others back up to speed. I have video of me taking them to the vet the day I got them, it was sad. they were just skin and bones. I have called the police and they said they will arrest the people I got the animals from for animal abuse if they report me. that was about three months ago and I have not heard a thing from them. my pitts love this poodle, I named it Speck cuz its so little.

-Doc-

Answer 10

Free cats and dogs temp people to own something they cannot afford. It is wrong to give away an animal for free because then it has no value. Charge a fee to assure the owner understands it costs to have and care for an animal. (Donate the money to the SPCA if you like.)