Why do families who are poor, have pets

[hostleg]

They are expensive to feed, look after and to recover from illness and injuries.

Hear people who have a dog who swallowed something they shouldn’t have - £900 at vets. I’m sure these poor families don’t have £900.

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.

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

Agree

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🙄🤔🐕‍🦺🦮🐕🐩🐈‍⬛

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.

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

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.

Mary Berry has her own toilet area?

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.

Lol, no her dog! Xx

Who had no clue how to look after them then dumped them when able to go back to work.

Then still get brainless idiots who get pets for their kids for Xmas "a dog is for life, not for just Christmas". The kids get bored by March and puppy gets dumped.

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.

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

Because some people are selfish and self centered, and think everything is a right not a privilege.

Who the F are you pontificate what people have the right to or to define who is deserving or undeserving? Step down from the soapbox, get a hold of yourself FFS. Life is more complex than your expert opinion. Oracle, the all knowing, who preach their wisdom and (self) righteousness in this echo chamber.

At least I don't have to use hidden swearwords to try and insult people. You clearly are unhappy with your life, maybe sort it out instead of spending so much time fighting strangers onto her internet 😂. I stand by my comment, people these days do not know a right from a privilege, because a lot of them chose to be victims their whole life...by the looks of it...you included...

Pontificating again 🙄🧐😂

What has that to do with poor people?
Or are you trying to say it was only the poor idiots who got dogs during lockdown or that buy pets as presents?
Given that the cost of some pets, especially dogs, practically tripled during lockdown, those buying them were definitely not poor.

My idiot next door neighbours got their kids a staffie puppy. For the next two years I heard nothing but arguments over who should clear up it's messes and who should take it for walks. The poor animal got shouted at and argued over. I'm glad I have moved.

They can have whatever they want and can afford but the issue with animals is the upkeep and what happens when they are ill so if people don’t have a reasonable disposable income then getting any pet is an irresponsible thing to do irrespective of how good they are for you . If the pets already live with you and your circumstances change then that is a different situation .

BauhusOf Eliot Agree totally! It really pisses me off when people complain about so-called "poor people" who dare to have anything nice or indeed anything at all .Why on earth should the "goodies " all go well off people .Animals are an excellent addition to a family .Children learn so much from pets about relationships .caring for a dependent creature helps build empathy and compassion.Our NDN is a PDSA vet, and is a very nice chap.Used to work at Expensive vets ,but enjoys helping"poor" people and their pets .Blasted Poor! with their wide screen TVs and tattoos .drinking their money away and eating in Spoons how blasted dare they!

What's this anything to do with poor people owning pets?

People should not own pets if they can't even provide for themselves without claiming benefits.

Under no circumstances? Where's the cut off point? Millions of people in Britain get some sort of benefit, including the NHS and free education. I take it you have private medical care & pay school fees for your DC?