Why do families who are poor, have pets

Rich people should not have money or power. Look at the state of this place (Earth).

British people should not have the privilege of not allowing migrants in on boats. It was the British who fucked up some of the countries they came from in the first place.

People on benefits should be on rations, coupons for shit and tower blocks to live in because they are useless scum.

God, you sound delightful. Do you not see the absurdity of this. Poor people should not have pets?

Maybe I should get rid of my pet because I'm so fucking poor.

Life is short, stop trying to act like you are bigger and better than everyone else. Heal. Read a book. Plant a garden. Write a song. Go for a walk. Post something more interesting and pressing FFS.

Ad finitum.

ODFOD

Jesus wept. The ‘poor’ can’t have anything, can they? No mobile phone, no big screen TV, can’t go out, can’t go on holiday, can’t drink….and now they can’t have pets. One of the few things in life that gives long lasting pleasure, peace and emotional support all rolled into one.

Lol, no her dog! Xx

I think it depends on the pet. Something like a hamster or goldfish, then I disagree as they are relatively cheap and low maintenance. However I agree with OP when it's dogs they are so expensive to maintain.
Reminds me of the influx of people buying dogs during lockdown. Then, down the line they get abandoned.

Mary Berry has her own toilet area?

For probably the same reason you see tiny, hunched elderly people, who can hardly walk, shuffling down the street with a dog... Companionship and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Lots of fools got pets during lockdown......

I see what you mean op and getting a pet would be the last thing on my list if finances were tight.
However, the cost of living has gone up a lot only recently and until all these crazy prices, I think many people could afford a pet.

I've read papers that allude to the fact that animals are subject to numerous and unnecessary treatments and investigations if they are insured. As soon as a vetenary company knows that they'll do all manner of things to them. That's not right either. My girl is large breed, a companion, I to her and she to me she has the run of the whole garden when ever she wants. Has her own toilet area her own compost area (just like Mary berry) and her own sun area and shady court yard. She is not a gun dog and doesn't need to run for miles her life span is actually enhanced by not too many gruelling walks. She is a water breed and goes in it all the time. She is an excellent house dog and good all round friend. She is an assistant and a good mountain guide dog to this disabled owner. It doesn't matter to me whether you disapprove of us or any other dog or their lifestyle. We are just living our best life as best we can. And were all on here used to to a large slew of dog/owner bashing. Next you'll be talking about the deserving and undeserving poor🙄🤔🐕‍🦺🦮🐕🐩🐈‍⬛

Agree

And OP has never come back, dump and watching MN go ape.

I think if the question had been 'should people get pets they have no idea how to look after properly?' the answer would be different. Asking about 'poor people' and why they have pets has skewed the answers.

The concept of "cutting your coat according to the cloth" has long gone. (Though possibly will be coming back)

I was brought up by parents brought up during the war. They were brought up by parents born in the 1890s early 1900s. (My grandmother lost her first sweetheart in WW1 so was older when having children, both my mum and I were older first time parents) It was all save up, make do and mend etc. Traditional working class clear memories of no NHS, little support, living in homes with no indoor plumbing. (Bad enough to get put in the first council houses in the village, considered poor housing in the thirties, outside pump for water and privy at the end of the garden)

Things changed in the '80s with access to credit. Attitudes changed. Generations were far enough away from hardship to not remember. Welfare state, baby boomers, free uni education for many with grants, vaccinations for childhood illnesses, All bloody good stuff but a lot of people lost the wariness of spending more than they could afford etc.

Sadly things have got tough again. (Bad time in the nineties, but some recovery til 2008 when finances are tough again) But people have been brought up by parents and grandparents born and raised in the better times of more generous welfare state etc advertising of having it all (on credit) things continually getting better... Secure employment. instant gratification, poor teaching on budgeting society is not scared of debt.

Living within your means is harder in our society that pushes credit and spending and low interest rates on savings. Just as eating healthily is harder with readily available prepared food and both parents needing to work. It's easier to see what other people have got and want it and harder to resist. Pets are on every other advert. Loads of people have a dog it's seen as normal.

What is a luxury has changed. Past generation luxuries are now basics. Things that were luxuries are now essential in our society. (Smart phone for example as everything has gone online digital) some people need cars as public transport has declined, got expensive and jobs have moved out of the city where people live.

To me, pets are an expensive luxury. To others, not so much. Especially if they had them before their circumstances changed.

Because sometimes the pet is all that’s keeping them going.

This . Everyone should be able to have a pet but only if you can afford the costs . Vets fees are huge and rack up quickly so if you don’t have insurance and you don’t have money then don’t have a pet . This was brought home to me recently , my dog became unwell and 3 days of treatment over 3 appointments cost me £1900 . If this treating hadn’t cured him we were going to X-rays and scans at £3500. Luckily I can afford it but what would happen if I couldn’t . He can’t remain ill and in pain .

Part of the reason I don’t have children is that I couldn’t afford to give them the life I would want to. I know of a few people who got a dog “for company” and said dog is never walked beyond the back garden. People get dogs for selfish reasons and don’t think of the finances involved

I do feel quite “judgey” about it, because SO MANY rescue organisations are desperately trying to raise funds to meet the medical needs of animals that have been dumped. Animals that have been left in dreadful pain and discomfort because the “owners” couldn’t afford or didn’t care about what the animal needed. Owning an animal is a privilege, not a right and if you cannot afford lifetime care, don’t get one.
Obviously people’s financial circumstances change and they should be supported but if they just dump the animal and bugger off? No, that is not someone who should own an animal.

For me the issue is, that if you are struggling to make ends meet, don’t then go and buy a dog and have this added expense. (I actually would say the same with children, don’t a third, fourth etc, if you can’t afford it). This also applies to people who are working, not just on benefits.

How does the tax payer pay for pets of someone on benefit? I have four children. I never planned for them financially. I worked hard to give them the things they needed. I never claimed a benefit to keep them or my pets which they had loads of. It was my income and it was apportioned accordingly. All the pets earnt their keep (cats n dogs). Comforted us all when sick or upset.there were times when our neighbours were burgled and we weren't. Wood mice were kept out of our semi rural house. Once a benefit is paid it is up to the individual how they spend it. Imagine the hike on the NHS if these people didn't have their animals to assist with their mental health and terrible loneliness. I see having an animal as a proactive health choice actually. As I say, I have four children they were never seen as expensive and always had enough for their needs. I'd need to balance out the consideration against my first child being an only child and the loneliness that can bring. Loneliness is a horrible thing what ever your age. I don't know single only child who liked being one. When mine were little we did our work around them and for a while I worked from home, went to uni, trained for a second career, did an MA. Having children doesn't lower your life it utterly enriches it and you get by just fine.

OMG, who do these poor people think they are getting themselves a pet when clearly they should be consigned to a workhouse and a life of misery, eh?

The cost of pets should be subsidised by the NHS and public money. They save the NHS a fortune in mental health support, reducing the numerous diseases caused by inactivity, increasing wellbeing, giving structure that feeds into structure to work and take responsibility, provide company for elderly who remain outside residential care longer if they have pets and are generally in better health, provide security that reduces burden on policing. Pets are for everyone.

I love the attitude that 'the poor' should put money aside for any emergency pet bills, because of course if they have a spare €100 a month, that'll go to Fido's just-in-case vet fund.

I've been poorish - single parent, mortgage and creche fees, almost paying to work to be honest.

PPs have said that we shouldn't have pets or children if we can't afford them.

Should I have rehomed my child, as I couldn't afford to keep him once his father left?

I did keep him, and bought a dog, and managed to keep them both alive and healthy, but I'll accept that was a fluke.

I'm top 10% earner now, thanks to promotions and getting back to full time, so do I get a voucher for additional kids and animals, as I'm worthy?

Because life’s tough and it brings them joy.

Pets can be hugely helpful and therapeutic to those who are struggling or who’ve suffered mental illness or trauma.