Why do families who are poor, have pets

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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.

It didn't used to be that expensive I don't think.

I had a hamster a few years ago and it was cripplingly expensive because the vet wouldn't face fact that it had got old and needed to be put to sleep. It was ridiculous the rigmarole that I was put through trying to keep it alive beyond its sensible life span.

I wish vets would stop trying to prolong animals lives beyond the point of sense. If they would stop doing that, then pets would be much cheaper and their lives would be more enjoyable for the pets and the owners.

Same here. And when they get old, the vet bills are little things that insurance wont cover, or it is less than the excess. But they mount up.

Because pet people lose their minds over animals and don't make rational decisions about how they're going to actually feed and provide medical care for the pet. They think their love conquers all and the world will somehow provide.

They think animals are their babies, and that means they feel they have to pay for an extra baby and complain about having no money, even if their real babies would benefit from the extra money.

Because I got my pet when I was married and in a stable relationship.

because I love my pet and they help me manage my MH conditions

because having another living thing to take care of gave me structure when my life was hard

because it’s good for kids to learn about chores and having to do things even when you don’t want to.

in the case of a cat because they catch vermin

I always had insurance with a low
excess and set a small amount to cover flea and worm and vaccinations.

Might not be a popular opinion, but much like having babies, some people forget about the lifelong commitment and don't think further than the "cute little puppy/kitten" and the reactions of other people, "Oh they're gorgeous! You're so lucky!"

Bringing a living being into your family is a huge commitment and responsibility. It's not a right.

You can tell your vet that you don't want treatment if the pet is very old anyway.
Most will listen.

I live near city centre council flats, there’s several big dogs who spend their days on a tiny balcony. It’s very sad for them.

I think that having an NHS means that we in the UK have no clue how much medical treatment really costs.

For example Iast time I took my child for medical treatment, he had some stitches and scans. I don’t own a pet but would be equivalent for a pet be hundreds? Thousands? No clue.

If you spoke to a vet and there was no medical treatment is her time £100ph? Dependent on time of day and more if it’s out of office hours?

No it clarifies nothing. Jewellery, alcohol and Christmas presents can be thrown away when surplus to requirements, or when the purchaser gets bored of them.

The fact that you condescendingly equate animals - sentient beings, none of whom probably enjoy being 'pets' in the first place, with inanimate objects in your unyielding defence of the terminally feckless who make poor life choices says a lot about your mentality.

Back to the topic . . .I've nothing against people on low incomes adopting animals bred as pets from shelters, providing they're prepared to forgo other luxuries in order to make sure that the animal has a vaguely tolerable existence. Many people that I know do precisely this. I don't think this is the vision that the OP had when the question was posed, though!

No, not all "pet people" are like that at all. Don't tar us all with the same brush.

I think it’s an example of the short-term thinking people have now. The relentless safety nets provided by the state give people the confidence to make bad decisions. Making bad life decisions doesn’t come back to get you like it used to.

We have had, several times now, somebody pleading poverty on our local Facebook page, begging for cash for birthday presents for their kids or food, saying they cant afford to eat etc. Then a month later, ‘Where can I buy a French bulldog puppy?’.

it still doesn’t give everyone a right to own an animal. They still have the same responsibilities to appropriately feed and care for them, including any vetinary care

Either they weren't poor when they got the pet, they don't realise the cost, or they decide on balance that they're worth it (pets are great for mental health and even increase your life span).

My question would be what made you so judgey?

Agree. A swimming pool is excellent for the health and wellbeing, doesn’t mean we are all entitled to one of those.

No, no it really doesn’t because all of those other things that people feel entitled to, whether they can afford them or not…well they’re inanimate objects (having children aside obviously) without feelings and rights of their own.
Pets on the other hand the right to be treated well and have their needs met. People who can’t meet the needs of pets (for whatever reason) shouldn’t be treating them as something they’re entitled to just so they don’t feel “miserable as fuck” living creatures aren’t toys or lifestyle props.

I’m afraid that’s not been true for me. First of all when your pet suffers from an “excluded” condition, or needs to be seen too many times for the same problem. The small print allows insurers to wriggle out all too easily. Then, as your pet ages, premiums go up, while the list of exclusions grows.

Only hope (for those who qualify) would be PDSA or Blue Cross. But not everyone qualifies.

Apart from the other reasons, sometimes pets are a good investment - if you're a single mum living in a dodgy area with just one easily kicked through door between you and drug addicts/criminals who live in your flat block wouldn't you feel a bit safer at night with a big barky dog?

Because people want a puppy or a kitten and don't think much further than that.

So get people with random x dogs, but it's OK, cos it was only 200 quid. But there's no money for dog training etc. Or insurance.

Or they get a cat, but don't bother to pay to get it done. Cue endless FB posts about male cat going missing, or too many kittens being abandoned.

I don't think it's wealth; i think it's stupidity. But it's more visible, because it plays out all over sm.

why do people who are poor do or have anything that isn't 100% necessary for survival? If I was them I would simply live in a hole in the pavement until I wasn't poor any more

The people the OP refers to paid £900 in vet bills, so they are clearly taking the responsibility (even if they have to go into debt, or however they managed it).

Please tell me you're joking.

Maybe just write a list of what poor people should be allowed or not allowed and be done with it.

Or just not get a bulldog puppy.

Aren’t you allowed to have love or relationships or a spiritual side if you’re poor?