Throw Away Pets

Hey Everyone!

I just read an article on MSN Money titled "Why you can't afford a dog" You can read entire the article here.

The author makes several valid points, including thinking about the cost of a dog before you buy one. It's true that dogs are expensive and unpredictable, you never know when a dog might eat a sock and require emergency surgery or develop an allergy that costs hundreds of dollars to test for. I'm not arguing that if you're unemployed you should go out looking for a puppy to comfort you through the time of hardship. The author compares adopting an animal in a time of poor finances to the decision to have children when you can't afford it. And I agree. A pet is a responsibility. You are ultimately responsible for the needs of that pet, from food to love.

My quarrel with the author is this - she suggests that if you come upon hardship you should try to place your dog in a foster home or give it away all together. If adopting an animal is kin to having a child, then why does she suggest that an animal be given up so easily? Mind you, she doesn't say that its an easy decision, just a right one. But I take offense to that notion. No one would ever suggest that you give up your child if you became unemployed. Why do we treat pets as though they are throw away items? Is nothing permanent in our lives any more? Does this mean we should trade in pets like we do used cars? I believe that once you make a commitment to a pet, you make it for the remainder of that pet's life or yours. Just like you do to a spouse or a child. An animal is a living, breathing thing. It may not be human, but it isn't your cable bill either. You can't simply turn it off when things get tough.

I think this author should rethink her position of choosing financial stability over your pet. Instead of advocating throwing away your pets, she should be advocating responsible ownership. That means getting vaccinations instead of waiting for your puppy to get Parvo. That means using flea, tick and heartworm preventatives instead of waiting for flea anemia, blood diseases or heartworm infection. That means spaying or neutering so that you don't have unwanted puppies or kittens. It means purchasing pet insurance so that if you have a dog who swallows a sock, you can afford it, even in the worst of times. Be prepared. Know to what extent you are willing to go for your pet and plan for it in times of financial abundance (Think setting money aside for specifically for unexpected illnesses) That way, if you find yourself in the unemployment line, you won't also find yourself throwing away your best friend.