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.

[Jeannine]

She "deserve" it!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You know, I think that as much as anyone else in the world, I deserve a dog. A healthy dog. I didn't get one.
Now, I would love a healthy puppy from the best breeder there is. And yes, I can "afford" to have one, if "afford" means, I have the money to pay for one and take care of it, right now. But what if Jack's treatment fails, and he has to go on Atopica @ $250 a month? What if he gets even sicker and requires even more care & time? Add in all the other uncertainties in life about my own health, employment, savings, etc., and I can't see getting a puppy right now, out of fairness to the puppy and to Jack. So no healthy puppy for me. That's not fair... but life isn't.

[Jeannine]

You too "deserve" a medal AND a trophy!

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

nope, life isn't fair...that is for sure....but Jack is one lucky dog....having such a responsible owner! =)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

=) Thank you.

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

well sure....it can be difficult to define DESERVE....so I looked it up in an online dictionary...and it says: to be worthy of, qualified for

so how do you determine if someone is worthy of a dog (able to love and be loved.....would be a pretty simple example of being worthy) but the second part.....qualified for....well what would qualify you? Being able to handle the financial burden, medical burden, training burden, etc.

So you may be worthy (able to give and receive the love) but are you qualified to meet the needs of the animal....that is the part where it can go horribly wrong. Some people just get the dog because it feels good, without considering all of the logistics of the long term commitment.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Yes, WORTHY and QUALIFY have two different connotations.

If worthy, you have done something in your own mind or to some criteria that makes you worthy.

If qualified, someone would have to put a list together for you to be matched against.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Yes I agree that there is a difference. And I think It is the 'qualification" that could make the biggest impact. As it stands, it is way too easy to acquire a pet by owners who are not deserving of a dog. This brings out the byb, and mills to keep up with the demand. Qualifications would hit the pocket books of the mills and byb by making it harder for the owners to acquire a pet. Owners who would have to make efforts and having enforcements in place by law, requirements involved before ownership would make better educated decisions. You stop the emotional spur of the moment purchases...the mill slow down (or stop better yet) because 'anyone' purchasing after a few enforceable and documented efforts would make better choices and this usually stops or slows any of stores too and stops the 'fast food chain' buying or emotional 'I just want one' dogs (that would have eventually ended up surrendered in the same amount of time it took them to purchase)

[Jeannine]

Exactly my thoughts. Could not express them in better words. Another medal for you!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I agree that in an ideal world, everyone would give back. I think all your thoughts are thoughtful. It's pretty much an un-answerable question.

If the car mechanics and barbers would give back some of their time to help people who need it and the same should happen with veterinarians, nurses, doctors, lawyers, etc. what would happen? The truth is, that already happens in many cases. Many vets do volunteer at the local shelters to spay/neuter and care for sick pets. They volunteer for their local 4-H chapter or they go into the schools to teach kids how to care for their pets, to be kind to animals and how to protect their pets from common dangers in the home. The fact is, if we all did our part, the world would be a much better place.

But that is not reality.

[Lorraine Bromley]

The problem is that the people with out money on social assisstance get more per check for pets so it happens that they get pets for the money each month but the animals don't get the care. Cats are especially used for this purpose as they are self sufficient at most. They create issues with spay and neutering as well. As they don't use the money to neuter and leave the pet to produce. These become ferrel and volunteers are left to rescue these poor animals. Often people with out income move regularily and this creates the possibilty of the animal not adapting and acting out creating the problem of dumping problem animals because it costs money to give a dog up to the humane society. To say that some of the poorer of our society are that way due to lack of education and skill is not a stretch. Love is sometimes not enough. If you aren't able to educate yourself in the care of an animal or how to overcome problem behaviours as well as seeing health and welfare issues you aren't a good candidate to have a dog or cat or pet. This doesn't mean that poorer people shouldn't have pets. People in general need to be educated to be a pet owner. This will never happen. People ruin children everyday let alone pets of all kinds.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

They get money for pets????? Are you kidding me?