to think some people should not have pets?

[LetsChangeNamesForThis]

Need to change the details a bit to make this less recognisable... hm.

A family member keeps getting pets. Their children aged 7 to 12 are quite keen on them, but don't really take care of them - it's more about getting a new pet, then they lose interest quite soon, so the parents end up taking care of them.

Over the last 12 months, the fish boiled to death died because they forgot to move the aquarium out of the very hot conservatory in summer. A snake died of starvation and they didn't even realise that it hadn't moved for several days. The puppy was run over by the family car. The kitten ran away and was found dead in a ditch.

AIBU to think that adding more pets to the menagerie at this stage would be somewhat irresponsible? And to not want their very, very patronising childcare advice either?

Some people see animals as toys.

I know someone like it. Is horribly depressing.

How awful those poor animals!

Can you call the RSPCA and tell them all this? I'm no expert but they could go round and maybe see if they can help

Some people are just like this with animals. Someone on my Facebook is on her 3rd dog in 3 years. No idea what's happened to the other 2!

Sadly some people really do think that animals are just disposable toys.

I know people like this. They've had all sorts of animals from rabbits to guinea pigs to hamsters and they all end up dying because they can't be arsed to take care of them properly. They actually thought I was taking the piss when they found out I took my rabbit to the vet for vaccinations and when he was ill and they said I should just "dump it somewhere" .

So sad. I love animals.

I found a cat who'd been dumped.

Kidney failure, messed up teeth, broken tail, really old.

Looked after him for 8 weeks but couldn't pay his bills and had him put down. He was lovely.

People can be cunts.

This sort of thing makes me so mad, like the woman on 'six puppies and me' programme that bought a puppy just so their children would fall in love with it then eventually it would die and the pet dying was a good experience for them to have. They then went on to treat the dog like shit because they didn't think about the 12 or so years inbetween dog arriving and dog dying. I worry more about my dog than I do myself, I can't understand people who just don't give a toss. Says a lot about a person I think.

I think it sounds very much like the parents don't end up taking care of them....it sounds like they can't be bothered and are very neglectful.

KingJoffrey I remember the brilliant photo you shared of him in the sink enjoying his bath, brought a tear to my eye!

OP YANBU, I hate the way some people treat animals as an expendable commodity. Really unfair.

It takes some serious neglect to be able to starve a snake! (Though I've owned a snake and they often hide for several days when they're about to shed, so I can understand their not noticing.)

YANBU

Aww, please can we see the cat bath photo?

I get really pissy with people who get pets and then act like dickheads and don't look after and train them properly. What the hell are they teaching their kids about responsibility? Maybe some people don't realize how hard a new pet can be, but to make the same mistake repeatedly?

I read Gumtree adverts ( I know, I shouldn't ) but all the "I've got 2 guinea-pigs for sale, kids lost interest" really makes me want to phone them and tell them to make their kids man the f**k up and be responsible.

People are way to quick to get rid when the novelty wears off.

Unfortunately ChangeName you won't get through to them, the next cute little animal will come and go,

Gives me the rage too.

I have a pet - a small pet that I've spent a lot of money on vet treatment for. The amount of people that ask why I don't just get a new one for a tender is unreal.

I don't want a new one. I want this one because it is one of the family and besides that I couldn't bear to just leave him to suffer/be put down.

that pisses me off how hard is it to feed an animal and keep it inside what a prick

Cat in bath.

There was an add on facebook yesterday for a 7 month old Bull Dog.

"We haven't got time for him..."

People did lay into him though.

Yanbu

People like that disgust me.

m.facebook.com/groups/124453397565763?view=permalink&id=957034354307659

Douche.

This is one of my most hated things. The Facebook buying/selling sites are the worst. Selling endless litters of kittens to any tom dick or harry for a tenner cos they can't be arsed getting their cat spayed. Absolute twunts the lot of them.

Totally agree with you op, hate people like this. Difficult to see what can be done to make them see sense though. I guess all you can do is keep an eye out for signs of neglect should they get any more pets and report it to the RSPCA. As a massive animal lover I just don't understand people like this at all.

On a lighter note that is a gorgeous picture kibgjoffrey and I'm sure that cat had a wonderful last few weeks of his life thanks to you.

It drives me mad. I would love to have a dog. I've got lots of experience and adore animals but I know my circumstances are wrong. I don't currently have the time/money for a pet. It really pisses me off that people just get a pet then sod it off when they get a bit bored.

Not just small pets though. A post today of 5 or 6 Shetland Pony colts in a pokey back garden in a city. Rubbish all over-bowls, coat hanger, crap everywhere and some fabulous sliced white bread to feed them. FFS! She got a slating and has now miraculously disappeared from FB but not before we found her rough address on a previous photo of a foal that had gone missing-RSPCA now contacted

I know people that do this too. They will never be friends of mine, I think it's horrible

Hats off to Joffrey. Lucky lucky cat.

I despise animal cruelty. There are loads of twats who shouldn't have pets.