To think only a monster would claim a reward for returning a missing pet

[OptimismvsRealism]

Surely any decent human would refuse unless absolutely desperate for food or something

No, obviously not. I would return it.

But if I'd seen a poster advertising a reward, and then I happened to see the animal, I would expect them to honour it.
I wouldn't stand there refusing to hand over their cat/dog/rabbit until they paid me. But I'd think they were a dick if they just said "thanks and shut the door.

That wasn't what you asked originally though

If I were the one who had lost the pet, I'd be insisting that the finder take the reward. I I were the finder, I'd just be pleased that I had made someone happy and refuse the reward. Could be quite a stand-off! Of course, I could just say please give the reward to Cats Protection etc.

Are vets cunts to profit from their services?

Besides which, unless it's a large reward, chances are they're not profiting. You're probably barely compensating them for whatever costs they incurred, including any of:

• their time
• the effort involved in tracking an owner down
• the effort and cost (fuel, bus ticket, whatever) of physically returning the animal
• the disruption to whatever they were planning to do before they noticed the lost animal
• the cost of anything used to capture the animal that was used up/ruined e.g. food bribes, car blankets, laundry baskets
• the cost of any cleanup or damage to their house/car/clothes
• any injuries they incurred capturing a scared, unfamiliar animal
• the stress of the whole situation including not knowing how long it'll take to sort out, wondering what you'll do if you don't find the owner, not knowing how the owner will react, not knowing if it'll leave you out of pocket, dealing with rearranging whatever plans you previously had

and probably other costs that haven't occurred to me. Obviously not all these costs will apply to every situation, and many people might consider them minimal and unimportant when they've been able to help an animal and the people who've lost it, but people's time, effort and belongings are not worthless.

And in the same way that returning a pet to its loving owner makes some people feel good, giving a reward to the person who returned a loved pet makes some people feel good. Sometimes people want to be able to show their appreciation in a tangible way to someone who's helped them, and graciously accepting the reward leaves everyone feeling good about the situation.

But nah, cunts, right? 🙄

Then why did you start the thread except to go on a wind up?

You’re literally profiting from bringing joy and happiness, reuniting pet and owner.

A reward isn’t necessary, but much appreciated because now I can take my family out for a meal courtesy of the pet and owner we reunited. Lovely - wins all around.

I think in the past I’d have thought like you, as I would presume any reward was paid by the owner. However, given my dog insurance will pay out a £500 reward for her return should she go missing (and pay another £500 to cover the costs of producing “missing” posters and placing adverts), now I’d probably accept. I do think I’d discreetly try to find out if insurance was covering it if the owners didn’t look like they could afford it themselves.

I would return a pet without a reward. But I don't think it is immoral to accept a reward. It's a show of gratitude. If people don't want to give rewards, they don't have to offer them. I would probably suggest they spend it on a taller fence/better lead/tracking collar or something instead though...

I think we have very different definitions of monster and arsehole.

I'd judge someone for wanting the reward. Whether I judged quietly would depend on who they were. Friend/family - yea they'd get told I thought they were being a bit of a knob. Work colleague etc I'd say nothing but would think a lot less of them.

A reward may encourage people who either need or want the money. Some people will say they don’t want the reward, when they do. Whilst others will be rewarded by helping someone. There’s no right, wrong, or monsters here.

Hmmm. Maybe.

I think posting this thread in the first place was an arsehole move, but maybe that's just me. Perhaps I'm a 'monster' for thinking it.

What is wrong with this thread? There are lost pets signs everywhere. One near me offers £1k for a tabby.

I forget what arseholes a lot of people are.

If you advertise a reward then it’s probably expected. If you find a random dog on the street and track down its owners, I would expect/accept nothing.

If someone is offering a reward that doesn't make the person taking the pet back an arsehole. Have a little think here OP.

I once spent an entire day tramping over fields and through ditches looking for a missing village dog. I wouldn’t have claimed a reward if I’d found it but I wouldn’t blame someone who did.

Do you have any idea whether or not these rewards are routinely collected? Or you're just aghast that they're even offered?

do you not think judging people for doing a good thing is far more of an arsehole move? Not to mention slightly unhinged to get so worked up about something that doesn't have any impact on you in the slightest....

You didn't ask is it U for people to ONLY rescue an animal if there was a reward on offer, or rescue an animal then demand a reward, which are completely different scenarios.

In a scenario whereby they've done a good thing and rescued the animal anyway, whether to/not accept a reward is up to them. Perhaps it would be 'nicer' not to but taking one is hardly 'monstrous.' Perhaps they've incurred costs by wrapping the injured animal in their now ruined jumper, driving to the vets and being charged an extortionate late fee from their childminder, or perhaps they felt it was rude to say no if the owner clearly WANTED to give them something.

Should vets or nurses not be 'rewarded' for doing good things every day? should they just do their jobs out of the goodness of their hearts without wanting any pay?

Well, I found a lost baby once (in one of the busiest places in the northern hemisphere) and reunited him with his mother, but no reward. Apart from lots of tears!

Am I a monster or do I win the thread?

Seems a bit dramatic OP

I think if somethings being offered it should be honoured

What a weird thing to think.

Are you also the religious type who doesn't understand that people who aren't religious don't habitually commit terrible crimes just because they don't have a god telling them not to?

But to answer your question - if I found a lost pet I would return it if I could. I would accept a reward if offered. I don't believe that makes me a monster - not compared to say, people who would actually hurt that animal instead. Or, people who create indecent images of children. Or people who rape. Or murder.

I've had pets and would always have considered a reward to be appropriate if someone put in the time and effort to return a lost pet.

What is your point?! The owner put up the reward sign, no one held a gun to their head.

To call someone a 'monster' for taking money that was offered in good faith is batshittery of another level.

I'd hate to think what words you reserve for your friends.