to think giving money to animal charities is wrong?

[armani]

ok so i just want people to know that i do like animals - im not a pet hater!

however today, whilst out shoping, i was approached by someone working for an animal charity. he was asking me if i could set up a monthly direct debit to help them. i politely declined, as i already give directly to 3 different charities and made my way home.

this has been playing on my mind all day. if everyone who gave money to animal charities instead gave it to charities helping sick/vulnerable people/children, then surely alot more aid would be available. i mean i do like animals but think human quality of life should come first.

AIBU?

[laserel]

YABU people give money to whoever they want. I think that animal charities are a very worthy cause.

[LetThereBeRock]

YABVVVVVU.

It really pisses me off when people say this.

I'll donate to any charity that I like,and it's no one else's business if I decide to donate to one that helps animals.

Besides not all human problems can be solved by throwing money at them.
Certain issues,particuarly with overseas aid,are very complex and involved,and require more than just financial help.

[magicmummy1]

YABU

Personally, I would never give to animal charities as I prefer my donations to help people instead. So I see where you're coming from, but people have the right to make their own decisions, and it isn't wrong if their priorities happen to be different from mine.

[RedHeels]

YABU. How we treat animals says a lot about what human beings we are. Those being cruel to animals often have no respect for fellow people. Since we have impacted so greatly on the planet, we owe duty of care to other creatures who now have to live in shit environment we provided for them.

[2shoes]

YABU

[GoingToBonnieDoon]

YABU I'm afraid. Its your opinion but others will feel differently. The important thing is to be happy with who you donate to.

[Vallhala]

YABU in so many ways. I feel sorry for you that you can't see that you are.

[Meow75]

Who do animals have to help them in situations that are very often caused by man made problems, if everyone thought like you?!?!

Only humans have developed money; if some of it is used to create problems that have a knock-on effect for animals,q then surely some of it should be used to help sort them out.

I think YABU.

[armani]

i agree that animals do need looking after but it just breaks my heart when you hear of children starving or drinking filthy water etc and then there are people donating money to animals.

[jellybeans]

YABU. I donate to animals and children and many other causes. I don't see anything wrong with it either.

[Tidey]

I think it's up to every person to decide who they donate money to. People need help. Animals need help. I don't feel that it's my place to decide which is more deserving on behalf of other people.

[taintedpaint]

YABU. Posts (and attitudes) like this make me really angry. I think what you've said is actually quite horrible.

[BangingNoise]

YABU. I donate monthly to an animal charity. Animals are nice than humans.

[taintedpaint]

And if you really were an animal lover, I don't think you could've gone as far as you have on this thread.

[Kaloki]

YABU

[Littlefish]

I don't think it's wrong, but it's certainly not something I would do.

[gremlindolphin]

YABVU and I agree with Valhala.

In addition, there are lots of charities that help animals that help people

ie The Brook www.thebrooke.org
which helps people to look after the animals which they and their families depend on to work.

The Dogs Trust has a special section which finds foster homes for the pets of women who are trying to escape domestic violence. Often shelters can't look after people's animals too.

The Cinnamon Trust looks after elderly people and their dogs.

The PAT Charity enables people to take dogs into hospitals/care homes as the benefit of contact is enormous for people when they are ill.

Ours lives and those of animals both wild and domestic is enormously intertwinned. The relationship between animals and humans is vast and important from both ways.

[Vallhala]

This breaks my heart.

And this

These are just 2 of the tragedies which come my way on a daily basis.

Man did this.

[Vallhala]

Btw, please don't just read the first link... scroll down to the bottom of the page for the photos.

Now tell me that giving money to animal charities is "wrong".

[huddspur]

YABU people can give money to any cause they want to

[woolymindy]

Personally I am not an animal fan but after my Mummy died, when I finally sorted out her stuff I gave all her good clothes to the PDSA charity shop. This is what SHE would have wanted, the collection in place of flowers was given to the hospice that cared for her (and us)

I do agree that some people do make too much of their animals (particUlarly when old rich ladies leave millions to tibbles the tomcat) and honestly I never understand it but it is all about tolerance and respect for how others spend their time and money.

You are being spectacularly unreasonable.

[tiredlady]

yanbu

I don't really give a shit about poorly treated donkeys in India or wherever, when women are still dying in childbirth and babies are dying of diarrhoea.

Having said that, people can do whatever the hell they want to do with their money. Doesn't mean I have to agree with them

[HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst]

Yes, YABU.
In fact, you are just plain wrong.

I am always slightly suspicious of people who want to decide for others who is and who isn't deserving of help.

[ClaireDeLoon]

YABVU

I hate that people think they can tell you where your donations should go. I have a mind of my own thank you very much.

If you feel so badly give more of YOUR money to the causes you think should get more support, don't tell others that donating as they want is wrong.