To think that poor people shouldn't be able to afford pets?

But @Mrsttcno1 you don’t know anything about @thecherryfox circumstances apart from what she’s posted and she is making the argument- she saying she’s poor and she’s saying she got a kitten and it’s brought so much joy to her autistic child and helped her with her mental health is that argument baffling to you, it’s a pretty good reason to have a pet no?

There's a couple of different issues here.

1. A lot of people who are poor have not always been poor and will not always be poor, and so may well have a pet from a previous period when they were doing okay, they will not expect to be permanently poor, and so will not want to get rid of the pet.
2. A lot of people who are poor are in work, and they are poor because living costs are too high and wages are too low. People who work should be able to afford to live a dignified life, including having enough discretionary spending to afford a pet, if that's what they choose.
3. A lot of people who are poor are not able to work because of long-term illness or disability, and as a wealthy country Britain should be able to afford to provide these people with a life of dignity, including having enough discretionary spending for some luxuries, including a pet, if that's what they choose.

I really dislike the attitude that the poor should be made to suffer and to do without any and all joy.

Sometimes for a person on a low income a pet is the only thing that brings them any joy or purpose in life because they have various health difficulties etc. However, yet again I’m unsurprised to see that people don’t consider such scenarios in their ignorance.

Ah but sometimes it is free. Look on the bright side.

1. PDSA isn’t always free, there is still a charge
2. It is very widely known that the PDSA does not provide the same level of treatment as another vet. Not down to any real fault of their own but they are a charity and so cost is the most important deciding factor, meaning more pets not receiving the treatment they need.

But in the specific examples where a family has no money for food or to buy uniform for their child, yes of course it’s sensible to say you shouldn’t be buying another mouth to feed. It’s not really about what anyone’s personal idea of “poor” is, it’s common sense to say that if you cannot afford to feed and clothe your child then you shouldn’t be buying another mouth to feed and another thing to take care of. If you can do those things and have a pet, amazing, do it, and this doesn’t apply to you. But it’s baffling that anybody would argue that it’s the right thing to do to purchase a pet which also needs feeding, insurance, treatments etc IF they already cannot afford to feed, clothe etc the family they have.

Poor people shouldn’t have children either. They shouldn’t have children or pets or Christmas or any love or any kindness nothing , nothing!!!!!

Then there’s the pdsa

To be fair, if you’re on the bread line, a pet can be a valuable source of protein.

Because in some cases they won't be paying for them. There are benefits available for people who want to get a dog if it's to help with their "mental health"

Right? Shall we say really cheap smartphones are okay though as people do need to order their takeaways somehow?

I’m a single disabled parent to an autistic child. I’m ‘poor’ if what you determine someone who lives in a council home and relies on benefits with no disposable income or luxuries. I have recently got a kitten. Are you saying I shouldn’t have been able to expand my family in that way because I’m what you determine to be ‘poor’. My autistic son has benefited incredibly by having a pet and she is helping with my loneliness and mental health whhen my son his at his dads. Crazy that you’re putting a box over people, you’re obviously very entitled

In which case they are harming only themselves. Not an innocent animal.

I'd say it has no effect on you how other spend their money. If someone is broke after a getting a pet, then that is their decision.
Keep your nose out.

Probably big screen tvs too?

I work in a vets. I get a huge discount on costs and payments can be made monthly if needed.

Yeah no idea what you're talking about.

I take it you're not a Monty Python fan...

And what if one of those pets falls unwell, needs surgery or treatment, and you only have accident only insurance?

Quite a reach from having a dog that you can't afford. But ok.

I'm poor with pets. Multiple pets actually. I'm poor because I work part time on minimum wage. I work part time because I have pets.

I'm poor, yet I still get more pets from work occasionally.

I have their costs to a minimum. Cheap food from Lidl plus human food scraps and accident only insurance.

I choose pets over running a car so I don't drive.

No, I can clearly see the difference between someone who took on a dog when they didn't have the means to, vs someone who had a dog and hit hard times. I'm not stupid. But thanks for the comment.

I've NCd for my reply to this!

I totally agree with the OP.

I work for a small charity and it is my job to support families with advice on housing, benefits, schooling, funding etc. I organise food parcels for families on a weekly basis. I 100% try not to judge but sometimes it is really difficult to deal with the decisions people make.

One of my families, just before Christmas, came in with a new puppy. They have 3 children and no money. I had to give them funds for bus fares the week before. How are they going to feed the dog never mind pay for insurance, vets bills and injections?

They are not terrible people they just make terrible choices with priorities. This is one of many examples I could give. It is tough!