Why do families who are poor, have pets

No it absolutely is not.
I see the effect of poverty on babies and children due to my work. Crap diet, health issues, poor educational outcomes, failure to thrive....
Its utter selfishness.
Nobody is entitled to have a baby they cannot feed /clothe or provide for.

Couldn't agree more

I'm not well off but bought dd a kitten for company during the summer holidays and few years ago

Dcat completes our family

And there are charitable animal hospitals that provide support for the first pet of less well off families

That said, I wouldnt go and get loads of pets, which I wouldnt be able to afford x

Good, shelter, education and technology to actually be able to function are all necessary.
pets but so much.

pets are amazing. I love animals. But they are a privilege and if someone can’t afford a pet they shouldn’t get one.

after all if they can’t afford it, something else is going to have to give. Food? Heating? What exactly?

I put pets in the same box as religion to answer this question!

Both give comfort, happiness and hope. Both cost money.

Only one is tangible. And it’s not GOD.

there’s a difference between absolute and relative poverty. We have child benefits etc. So yeah it’s all a bit eugenics when we start talking about whether poor people should be having children or not

WHY ARE POOR PEOPLE ENJOYING THINGS GRRRR

Having lived in the U.S. I wish this was true, vet bills are high not not US med bill high! But they are shocking and should be better regulated.

People who make poor life choices due to mental health, upbringing etc will also make poor life choices when it comes to animals, they won't see why it's a bad choice, and just keep repeating it

@Name4generalposts I think you have the same misconceptions about better earners that you are confusing them of!

I buy own brand food, had lessons from family, car is 2nd hand. Buy 2nd hand clothes etc, I am not unusual...

You do realise pets live a long time and most people weren’t in such poverty when they got them? My mum is now barely surviving and was doing fine prior to 2020. The cost of living has gone up a shocking amount and it’s insanely privileged to not acknowledge that. Should she abandon her dog that is elderly with medical needs?

What's your suggestion?
Have a baby and starve it?
Or... have a baby and expect someone else to pay?

It would be good if vet costs could be regulated by the government though. They are ridiculously high - like American medical costs. Insurance companies are also rather devious with exclusions.

Why do they eat crap, smoke, drink, have TVs, TV packages and internet. Because they want some joy and normality in their lives?

Eugenics?

I meant to add to my post that the most neglectful pet owners I encountered were very well off.

Whikst you do have to be able to feed your pet and pay vet bills, having money, in itself, does not a good pet owner make.

I do think shelters are too harsh with their requirements and most animals would prefer a life away from the shelter, even if it isn’t perfect. But if you know you work a ten-hour-day, with commuting time, I think you need to think very carefully about whether you are making yourself happy at the expense of the animal. As you said, many (not all) cats might manage okay but most dogs wouldn’t. Perhaps you then choose a hamster or stick insect! I just feel there is too much emphasis on pets being good for humans’ physical and mental health and not enough on the animal.

If you cant afford to feed or care for a child and dont have time to care for a child then no you shouldn't have a child.

Errrrm .... yes?
Because feeding your child is pretty fundamental, so if you cant even do that...🙄

I have a friend (I say that loosely) who is always pleading poverty
Can't even afford a pint of milk
She has a medium breed dog and then someone offered her a kitten (both male)
She couldn't take in the kitten fast enough
Neither animal has ever seen a vet and are both unchipped and intact
In her case its because she wanted them without a thought to their wellbeing (which is the reason I'd love a dog but can't afford one)
As soon as one dies,I will guarantee she'll get another and the cycle will repeat-the dog has worms but she refuses to get him medication as 'I can't afford it'
So why get one knowing you cant afford it?

My ds got a rescue dog and before he took the dog on,he did his maths and could afford it and the agreement is,that if something happens to him,we will take the dog on-hes put money away for his upkeep (if he loses his job,he's in an area where he will get another easily)
However things in life can turn on a sixpence and we are the backup to this
I know nothing is guaranteed but at least it wasn't 'I'd love a dog' on the Monday and bought one on the Tuesday because he fancied it without thinking longer term

I recently watched a TV show where a dog was being reincarnated into another dog. He had a choice of owners. One set were rich and successful (and would supply premium food and toys!) but he chose a homeless man. It transpired that was because the homeless man would be with him every second of the day, loving him and caring for him. Whereas the rich couple would be out at work or off socialising etc and he'd be alone.

"Poor people" have just as much love to give as rich ones. And yes, if they're home all day with the pet, the pet is going to be a lot happier. It doesn't just benefit the owner, it benefits the pet too.

Any one of us can end up poor! Some relatively well off famous people have gone bankrupt. It's not a fixed state. As others have said, having a pet is one of the best things for MH.

You could say the same about children too really, they are also very expensive.

Some pets live a long time, people’s circumstances can change. I think you’ll find genuine animal lovers will go without themselves to ensure their pets have everything they need.

should pet ownership be means tested? Or more sensibly, should people have to undertake some kind of responsibility test before being allowed to acquire an animal?

Some people like a fun filled slightly chaotic house and money isn’t that important to them.
Pets add to the fun and love.

MIL was like that, 4 kids and living practically hand to mouth every week but they always had cats, budgies, fish, hamsters and later when they had a bit more money they had a horse for a while! I don’t understand it myself.
I would love 1 cat though.

Do you think poor people shouldn't have DC too OP?

Because they want.

I do sometimes wounder if poor/low income are misunderstood. Do the people who earn better actually understand. Like cutting your cloth accordingly if someone has never had to do that or only a very small trim do they actually get it?

It could be something like a car for example.
Poor person . Lessons from friend/family member. Car older type . Engine 1.0 insurance 3rd party.

Non poor person : decent car. Bigger engine fully comp.

Poor/low income: grocery shopping all unbranded items.

Non poor person grocery shopping more likely to be branded items or a mix.

Poor person: clothing may use cheaper tyoe shops possibly buy second hand.

Non Poor person: more likely branded name clothes more expensive tyoe shops buys everything new.

Few examples means people can still have what they would like but on a different way and frees up money for other things .

Please note this is an example.