To think that poor people shouldn't be able to afford pets?

[tellmesomethingtrue]

Why do people who claim to be poor or say moneys tight, then buy pets? I genuinely can't understand this logic.
AIBU to think that if you can't afford a basic house DIY or to buy your kids uniform, then you therefore can't afford pets?

Wait…wait…I’m getting my popcorn 🍿

I agree with you OP and I was a poor person with pets.

Getting a designer dog or looking after the cat they already have? The two aren't the same

Yanbu, people should not stretch themselves financially to get an expensive pet, and should do thorough research into costs before committing. Ditto with anything costly and non essential IMO.

Why? OP is correct. No need for popcorn.

I’m not sure we would have been classed as “poor” but when DP was made redundant in the pandemic and things were very financially tight, there was no way we would have considered giving up our cat. We were lucky that we had good insurance had we needed expensive vet bills (which thankfully we didn’t) and would have cut back on other things if it had come down to it.

The only people I know who have pets are ones who were in debt and then decided to get pets and then complain about the cost of the pet or allow the pet to go without. It's heartbreaking to be honest and I also can't understand the logic

Because I know there’ll be a hoard of others who disagree!!…and i like popcorn

I know only 1 person who this applies to and honestly she makes poor choices in general. Currently living in a 2 bed tiny tiny bungalow with 3 kids because moved in a partner and his 2 kids and since moving them in has also bought 3 designer breed puppies and 2 cats. Regularly pleads poverty on FB while simultaneously showing off heaping piles of gifts she's bought for the kids.

I think most people either have pets before finding themselves in financial distress in which case I can completely understand not wanting to lose them, or they choose not to have pets.

I got my dog before my circumstances changed, and she's a rescue, but yes I wouldn't get a dog if I couldn't afford the essentials.

Why? If someone says they are so poor that they can’t afford to get their kid’s uniform or suitably feed their family then it’s not unreasonable to say that they cannot afford a pet. Pets are expensive (if you are a responsible and good owner). So, if you are on a low income with lots of financial pressure then you cannot afford a pet. It’s a luxury. Just like you cannot afford a luxury holiday. Or most holidays actually!

Why don’t people realise that you can go from being wealthy to being poor in a matter of minutes.
What do you suggest, that everyone who falls on hard times just gives up their pets?

Reported. No need to shame poor people.

This one's been done OP

In simple terms yes you’d be correct.

However circumstances change and when the do there is a dilemma. Keep the pet that they love (and presumably is also attached to them) and hope circumstances change again for the better or try and rehome it ?

It could be argued that rehoming a pet should be a last resort and to do so immediately is not very responsible of the owner.

Definitely no pets

or children

or popcorn

disgraceful

We bought the cats when our circumstances were better. We do still have insurance for them and take them for their vaccines however

🥱

People don’t prioritise their money though- so the people who can least afford it will get pets. Feed them shitty cheap food, not insure them etc. Just like the feckless sorts you see vaping or smoking and buying endless takeaways whilst not being able to buy school clothes for their kids or have clean sheets on their beds.

But Yanbu.

Well, they might not have been poor when the pets first came along. I'd starve before I'd rehome my cats.

But you wouldn’t have thought, “Well this is the ideal time to go and buy a new pet,” which is what I think the OP is talking about.

Then OPs post wouldn't apply, because you'd have been wealthy when you got the pet.

Obviously if someone is struggling to pay the bills then takes on a pet they are a selfish idiot.

The problem is circumstances can change. Jobs can be lost, massive unexpected bills can happen, cost of basic living/rent/fuel can skyrocket.

People who can't afford "basic DIY" also can't afford nights out, hobbies, holidays, weekend trips and god knows what else. I don't blame them for wanting to have some meaning in their lives and a way to distress and disconnect from the worries. By your logic, if they can't afford school uniform, they also shouldn't have kids. But people do and, frankly, I don't see how this is anybody's business where they choose to spend their money and effort.