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AIBU?

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Original poster

I don't want to get a family pet due to ethics

253 replies

Markinsomerset · 26/08/2015 19:01

Hi,

My wife really wants a pet and thinks it is very valuable for the children. However ethically I don't agree as cats are responsible for distroying lots of species. Dogs I think its very unfair for as each day I'm sure they feel like they are being abandoned each time they are left alone. Can't guarantee that the suppliers are ethical.

If everyone got rid of their pets then no one would go hungry in the world. They just seem like a selfish interest IMO.

Who is right?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Vixxfacee · 26/08/2015 19:02

What are you on about mate?

EatDessertFirst · 26/08/2015 19:03

Que?

Rarity08 · 26/08/2015 19:04

Ethical cats Grin

ollieplimsoles · 26/08/2015 19:04

What the actual fuck.

Original poster
Markinsomerset · 26/08/2015 19:05

What do you mean?

OP posts:
chickindude · 26/08/2015 19:06

What????

OP posts:
TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 26/08/2015 19:06

You could always get a parrot, you could train it to sit on your shoulder and it could go everywhere with you. Prudence would be a good name, or Percival. Hope that helps.

DawnOfTheDoggers · 26/08/2015 19:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OP posts:
ShooBeeDooBeeDoo · 26/08/2015 19:07

Humans are responsible for a lot more death and destruction than cats. Maybe swap your wife and kids for a cat and some kittens?

EatDessertFirst · 26/08/2015 19:07

Its a pet, not a WMD!

AliceTerrapin · 26/08/2015 19:07

What is it with mumsnet? why don't any of the men who post have any balls? What a big pile of fuss pot crud.

Shallishanti · 26/08/2015 19:07

I know where you are coming from
the food is an issue too (eg we are vegetarian- what would we feed a dog?)
I also had issues about an animal being purely 'for entertainment'
BUT I eventually gave in and the dcs had gerbils and hamsters- it seemed v beneficial for dcs and no harm to the animals
and now we have chickens- which aren't really pets but live the life of riley at the bottom of the garden

ShooBeeDooBeeDoo · 26/08/2015 19:09

Snort @ fuss pot crud

msrisotto · 26/08/2015 19:09

Err relax....

Original poster
Markinsomerset · 26/08/2015 19:10

What no one else is bothered about natural species being decimated and biodiversity being ruined by obsessions with domesticated animals and millions of people starve so we can have these amsuments at home. I thought this was a caring site!

OP posts:
vestandknickers · 26/08/2015 19:11

Its a pet, not a WMD! Grin

Are you actually serious OP?

We've got a hamster. Not sure where you stand on that one. I'm pretty sure it hasn't carried out any act of genocide.

Bulbasaur · 26/08/2015 19:11

I think you'd have a better angle by just stating you don't want a pet because of the responsibility and expenses. I don't want a pet at the moment because I don't want any more responsibilities than I already have.

Honestly, this just sounds like it started with a "no, I don't want a pet" to being backed into this nonsensical corner because your wife didn't accept your no. If you don't want a pet, you don't want one.

But maybe figure out why on a personal level and find a compromise. A fish tank is a pleasant addition to the house and will teach the kids responsibility.

GoooRooo · 26/08/2015 19:12

Its a pet, not a WMD! Grin

Ineedtimeoff · 26/08/2015 19:12

I understand you but I don't agree. Firstly not all dogs suffer from separation anxiety when you leave them. If you are worried about the dog coming from a puppy farm or the likes then get a dog from a shelter.

Yes cats do hunt small birds and there is a school of thought that the increase in the number of domesticated cats has had an effect on the number of small birds in this country not to mention other small animals. However, nature is cruel and survival of the fittest n all that. Also, not all cats are great hunters. Mine isn't.

Yes, I suppose that if you were to calculate all the money that this country spends on pet care, you could put it to a hell of a lot of good in the world. That said, who is to say that individuals would spend their extra cash on feeding the world? You just need to see how this country is reacting to the humanitarian crisis that's exploding out of Syria and into Europe.

Apart from that, dogs are pretty bloody amazing pets not so fused about the cat

WorraLiberty · 26/08/2015 19:12

If everyone got rid of their pets then no one would go hungry in the world

Are you suggesting we donate our pets to the local foodbanks?

RJnomaaaaaargh · 26/08/2015 19:12

What about a brick, like father jack Hackett had?

It would make a lovely ethical per.

zeezeek · 26/08/2015 19:13

Bloody hell! If you don't want animals that don't have animals - but don't dress it up as some kind of ethical issue.

FWIW I have 3 dogs. They are perfectly well balanced, thank you very much.

EatDessertFirst · 26/08/2015 19:13

Can't say I'm that bothered. My cats eat the mice that chew holes in my shed, they get fed, watered and appropriate medical care. Seems like a good deal to me!