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.

Why has vet care for a domestic pet gotten so expensive that a family who earns little can't even afford a family pet?

Private equity is buying up vet practices here and it's making having a pet unaffordable by driving up prices unless you can drop a grand every visit. Spaying/neutering a cat is a few hundred now.

The rich are getting richer.

I work in animal welfare and rescue. From experience, some technically "poor people" spend every spare penny they have on their animals and their animals are impeccably cared for. In comparison I've seen some horrific welfare in animals owned by people with money.

Unfortunately no one requires a licence or certificate to own an animal, and therefore people buy on a whim or don't think it through properly. Meaning us rescues have to pick up the pieces when the animal is inevitably given up or the person cannot afford vet bills because the very healthy kitten they bought is now a very old cat needing expensive treatment and they didn't put money aside and insurance no longer stretches to the cost.

I wish everyone would get pets neutered, and that people would think about how they can care for the animal properly for it's whole life. I couldn't care less how much they have as long as they care properly for their pet.

What a horrible thread.
Are the poor not allowed to drink/eat/buy anything that YOU DON'T APPROVE OFF.
Each person/families situation is different.
Maybe they were 'rich' when getting the pet.
Maybe they took the pet in as the owner (family member) had died.
Or just maybe having something that gives them love with no judgement.
There are charities that will help.
Otherwise let's euthanasie all the animals that 'poor' people have, also the animals waiting for a new owner.

Are you making a modest proposal, OP?

Have you met guinea pigs? They are amazing. I have loads, I rescue them. They make me so happy every day. You should try it, you sound like you need cheering up!

Yes, and several comments about poor people are poor because they made stupid decisions. Or any decision they make is stupid because they are poor.
Well off people can be fucking stupid too. It is nothing to do with what is in your bank account.

I don’t think people are poor because they’ve been stupid, but if you have very limited money you should act accordingly rather than simply spending unwisely then saying it’s all fine because whatever you spent the money on should be a human right or available to everyone.

I know a couple who rescue them too. They don't have kids, but dote on their guinea pigs.

Poor people don't want to be told how to spend their money. Anyone is free to make crap decisions.

So what happens if you buy a pup, your children raise it for five years so its part of the family, then your circumstances change massively through no fault of your own?

You can't always "ensure you have the capital for a large unexpected expense". Do you give the dog away? What do you tell your children? Or do you just try any make it work the best you can until you get back on your feet?

I agree. There was a thread on here earlier where someone had £350 to last them, their massive husband, kids and dog for the month. You can’t afford pets if that’s how you’re living.

The more I hear about people like this who tell me I shouldn't have a dog, the more I love my dog and distrust people.

A lot of people survive on less money that that.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/ownership/hope-project

This has some.good info

Why do the poor have anything beyond basic bread and water ?

Are there no workhouses ?

They are just awesome. I love my pigs, they want for nothing. I'm not rich but I spend a lot of time making sure they are cared for

Just euthanise the poor people.

Maybe poor people should share bread with the ducks.

If it's their money that they are earning absolutely. But if the taxpayer is funding the pets (or other luxuries) it's no wonder they might question it.

That may be the case but the OP in that situation was concerned that it wasn’t enough to feed them all plus an animal. If that’s the case then you can’t afford a pet.

How on earth is this controversial?! Of course you shouldn’t have a child if you can’t afford to FEED them Jesus why is that a crazy thing to say

My husband worked for a homeless charity for years. The charity said that people at the very bottom of the pile have pets because they want to feel better than ( superior to)something and , since they are at the very bottom of the humanity pyramid, then a dog is what they get. It's a bonus if people give you money because of the dog . It's also a bonus if the dog loves you .

No, the tax payer does not get to dictate how benefits are spent. Once it is in someone's bank account, they can spend it how they wish, be that wisely or otherwise.
My pet brings me joy, purpose and company. That is spending money wisely if you ask me. Of course, I could just spend it on drugs instead.

I know! The entitlement and ‘if I can’t have anything I want then obviously it’s because I’m oppressed’ is madness.

It’s not a binary choice of a dog or crack cocaine though is it?