OPINION Poll - What are your thoughts?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

This is an interesting topic.

Does everyone deserve a dog of their very own, or only those that can afford one (in money/time/devotion)?

This is an interesting and difficult question. In fact, the Irreverent Vet recently discussed this very topic. It came up because of the octuplet mom with 14 kids who was receiving public assistance. It made a lot of people step back and ask, "Does everyone deserve kids or only those that can afford them?"

Logically, the question extends to pets. Does everyone deserve a pet or only those that can afford to care for them them?

What do you think? I'm very interested to find out what you all think about this issue.

Pets have needs that need to be taken care of - grooming, nutritional needs (good food), preventative health care, and emergency or ongoing health care if there are medical problems. Those all cost money. Should we really own a pet if we are unable to fulfill those needs?

The Irreverent Vet addresses this issue head-on and his opinion is one that I believe most vets share.

After we discuss it I will post their POLL outcome: Does Everyone "Deserve" a Pet? What do you think?

Leave your answer here and your comments below.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, they still leave them in dumpsters, even with the "no questions' policies in place. Sigh.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Evil is everywhere...but we can't let that stop the positive work against it though right, some may follow the rules and that could stop that ONE dog from being surrendered.

[Jeannine]

You're right on that one. That would work in a very well organize world and with heavy right for animals. Unfortunately, we are far from there.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

I know, it looks good on paper though...sigh!! It is like prohibition was supposed to stop all alcohol consumption. This is an interesting discussion :)

[Jeannine]

YEP! Another good topic! I'm sure we could have a lot of different opinions on this one too.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Yeh possibly, but then don't strays have a better chance at finding great homes then some family surrenders being put down their policy being immediate euthanasia....in some shelters anyway. Children and pets are two way different subjects. I think the no questions asked policy at hospitals for infants is absolutely a good policy.

[Jeannine]

Yes it is because everything you can do to save a little infant is ultra important.
As for our doggies, it is also very important and I think that the first step that should be done is having stronger law against puppy mills, bad backyard breeder and all kind people who dispose any animals like garbage.

The laws in both our country are a joke regarding the right of animals.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

I agree!! :) there is always an element working around the laws though and the mills will still exist. It is the honest, 'you must do this, to have that' that usually works in our society. Like getting your drivers license. You must pass drivers ed. then do ?? hours on the road. Then you may have this privilege of a drivers license. To have a dog you must get a license FIRST to get the license you must complete xxxxx showing some form of responsibility first. This is not monotary, but is showing a form of ethical responsible ownership potential.

[Jeannine]

Thank you! :-)

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

This actually does make sense! You need a license to drive a car, why not one to breed a dog, or own a dog, heck you could even extend it to breeding and having babies. But doesn't that make us like China? Wouldn't babies AND pets be better off. (I'm ducking, now)

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Yes they may be better off, I dunno..and in time the population of dogs in shelters or coming out of mills would be less, maybe. btw, Babies and dogs are two different topics. We do have this problem with dogs right, and dogs is the topic of this discussion, right? China?? care to explain your comment, I'm uneducated in political affairs?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

The difference is hospitals don't put the babies to sleep after 3-5 days. That is a good law for human babies, the laws for fur babies are not so good.