why people keep saying you shouldn't have a pet if you can't afford it? don't you think it's rude?

Question

what if the person is really sincere and in fact the cat was a stray.

i find many answerer said that and some of the question is really genuine and come from a worried heart. although some people don't live a luxury life, i bet the are trying their best for the cat that they love so much.

umm...i'm not talking about myself. i can afford the cost and everything. i'm bringing this up because i think we should not being judgemental on the person and simply say things that might be hurtful to others

Answer 1

The answer is yes and no -- and this will probably be a long answer, so gird your loins for a barrage of words.

When people say that, some (the ones who genuinely care about the animals) are really saying that if you can't provide responsible care for the animal, you shouldn't take it in. And in this they are right. But you can be poor and provide responsible care for a basically healthy animal -- it just requires that you be resourceful. I speak from experience.

If you can't afford food, then you have to beg for food. I have done that. You can turn to a local shelter or rescue group to get donated food. You can go to local pet supply stores and supermarkets that sell pet food, and ask for broken bags and dented cans. You can go to a local vet who fosters animals, and ask to leave the animal in his care while you take care of the job problem or the threatened home problem. There are free or very low-cost spay/neuter clinics, and pet supply stores sometimes offer very low cost vaccinations. And in a pinch, you can even go to a vet or to a shelter, let them know your predicament, and oftentimes they will give the vaccinations for little or nothing.

In order to provide responsible care, you need to know the standard of good, responsible animal care, and the way to know this is to read cat care manuals, come to understand cat behavior, cat language. You need to know when a problem requires veterinary care, and when you can handle it yourself. Constipation or a mildly irritated eye or a scratch or small wound -- some things like these you can treat with strategies similar to those you would use for yourself, just applying simple first aid. And if the cat gets really ill, you have to have a vet in mind who will help. Usually shelters or no-kill rescue groups will have a bulk-care arrangement with a local vet. If you hook up with the group by doing volunteer work for them, that's the same as putting money in the bank, because you can turn to them for assistance if you need it for your animal. Or you can just go to a vet and offer to work off the bill, cleaning cages or helping out in the office. I have done both of these things.

If you don't have money, you have to have skills, you have to inform yourself, and you have to be resourceful. But y9ou can provide excellent care even so.

I suppose folks would want to know why someone who can't really afford a companion animal would want to add to their burdens by shouldering care for a cat, or any other small animal. And that is a question I would really like to answer.

Years ago (I am old), probably before you were born, there was a TV variety show called the Carol Burnett Show. She is a comedienne, and was very popular in the 70's. She was funny and wholesome, but had had to struggle her way to fame, and as young person, had an alcoholic parent, and not much money. At the end of her show, she would always take questions from the audience, and one night someone asked her, "Did you ever have to see a psychiatrist?"

She thought for a moment and answered, "When I needed one, I couldn't afford one. And when I could afford one, I didn't need him anymore."

There is no therapy in the world like a contented cat curled up on a bed next to the heat with a full tummy. Especially when the bed is a plumped-up remnant of faux fur, and the heat is a radiator in a sad-and-sorry-looking little hovel of a room and the food you filled his tummy with came from a broken bag of (top-shelf, premium) cat food you begged from the pet supply store. As far as the cat is concerned, there is no down-side to any of it. He is happy as a clam and his contentment is contagious. He loves you -- he LOVES you, and though it really is beyond me to articulate exactly why, that right there is at the very essence of health and sanity. How on earth can you lose your mind when somebody loves you and everything about you so much, no matter what? How can you possibly be destitute when you are so wealthy? .

It is not that people who say awrul things to people who can't afford vet care, it's not that they are rude, really. And in a way they are right. When you take on the burden of a pet, you take on the responsibility to feed and care for it. But there is more than one way to do that, and it is inconsiderate and ignorant to level the old "irresponsibility" bomb at someone who obviously cares and is struggling. The best course is to suggest resources or potential resources. My experience is that when you give someone an idea, they will follow up on it and that will give them new ideas, until they solve their problem.

Answer 2

Having a pet is a lifetime commitment. It's the same as having a child. You have to be mature and responsible. Keeping a pet, be it a stray or pedigree, requires money, time, lot of love, attention and most importantly, patience.

I don't think it's rude. It's more like advice from experience. Trust me it isn't cheap to have a pet. Trips to the vet, vitamins, supplements, grooming equipments, food ,all of which cost quite a bit. When you have a pet, you would naturally want it to be healthy and happy and always look its best.

Remember, to you it may just be a pet, but to him, you are the world!

Answer 3

I don't think it's rude. It boils down to using your common sense. If you struggle to support yourself, how do you possibly think you can support an animal, they live for at least around 10 years. Add up food, litter, bedding, de-sexing, annual shots , grooming, and taking them to the vet if anything is wrong over 10 years, and it works out to a small fortune. People who can't afford pets, shouldn't have them. If someone is from a poorer background, they should rather volunteer at a shelter, that way, they are seriously giving an animal help.

Answer 4

depends on the situation and how its said i guess! a lot of people have good intentions taking in stray animals but if, in turn, they cannot afford to look after the animal properly by feeding it properly or getting it checked over by the vets whenever needed, then the animal will still suffer, no matter what good intentions the person had in the first place. animals are expensive and when you take one on you need to know that you will be able to care for it no matter what - even if that means you go without certain things!!

Answer 5

No it isn't rude. people are thinking about the quaity of care the animal may or may not get. Being blunt may hurt feelings, but animals rely on humans to be their voice.
=)

I can not stress enough that it is perfectly ok to ask the ASPCA for help. That is what they are there for.
Sadly I hear too many horror stories regarding the HS.
NOTE: The ASPCA and the Humane Society are 2 completely dif entities.

Answer 6

I compleatly agree. I had thought about doing a topic on this. Many good intentioned people don't have lots of money, but they deserve to have the love and company of an animal. Many people who have trouble affording bills for pets save pets that would have otherwise ended up in the pound or put to sleep. Instead of telling them not to have a pet people should be helping them find facilities that will help them get low cost services. They do the best they can and love their animals. It is wrong to say non-well off people can't have pets and the well off can. Some people need their pets because their pets help them. It is like telling a not so well off person they can't have kids. And don't tell me a child isn't a consious decesion like a pet, because you know what could happen and they try sometime. A pet is a family member. I know many people who depend on their pets. I know a few people who would be devistated if their pets were taken away because they can't afford to take their pets to the vet everytime they get a runny nose. I notice it is always take it to the vet and that isn't always nessary. Do you go to the doctor for every last cut or bruse? Really though think of how many of those pets would have otherwise ended up on the street or put down.

Stop telling them they can't have a pet and direct them to financial aid or low cost facilities. financial aid will help people who don't have it right now. Not everyone is so lucky to have money everywhere. Situations arise and things come up.

Answer 7

Yeah, I do think that's rude. Sometimes circumstances arise that are completely unexpected. Because I can't afford to fix the dents in my car after an accident, does that mean I shouldn't have one? Things happen that no one can predict. How often do pets run 1000's of dollars at the vet? Are the people saying this going to spend that much for their animal's chemotherapy or spinal injuries? If you say yes, you're either a liar or a millionaire, and since there ain't too many of those out there, I'm going with liar.
The most my cats ever cost at the vet is $150, for shots/spay and screen. Most people can afford that. Most people can not afford the $2500+ for chemo.

Answer 8

No i personally don't think its rude. The reason they say that, it's because if the pet gets sick, and you can't afford to pay the vet bill, then...the pet will probably die.
And because of the injections and the visits to the vet, everything costs money. That's why.

Answer 9

It is rude to take in a pet, and then let it suffer because you can't afford to take care of it, or value your cigarettes over his vet care.

Answer 10

rude? maybe but sometimes being "politically correct" isnt the correct answer..
and the fact is if you cannot afford a pet you shouldnt have one
if you cannot afford a kid you shouldnt have one
if you cannot afford anything.. you shouldnt have it..

people can save their money - many chose not to.

I worked minimum wage job and managed to save for a house..it wasnt hard it was a choice...eat soup.. dont eat out.. never have coffee out (high mark up) dont have cable.. its a choice.. no cell phone - no internet..
if people can afford the internet they can afford a pet...

people are not legally allowed to keep strays they MUST report finding them first... (or they can be charged with theft)