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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  Interesting subject, it always is, really. There are tons of charities for this type of situation....but...unfortunately the reality is that these orgs come and go...most of them GONE or going. And to qualify, they make it VERY tough. So to me, there is nothing reliable here for lower income situations EXCEPT getting a very good/strong pet insurance where the person *can* afford to at least pay those monthly premiums...and that's not usually going to be the case.
I don't believe living creatures should be in the care of someone who can't afford proper care. But then we have to define "proper care" and what "basic care" means too, right?
I would love to say that anyone who wants an animal's love should have one -- but that's just not the truth of how I feel. Animals are wayyyyyy too vulnerable to human beings -- at our mercy, really. And bc of that, we need to protect them from ourselves. |
Mmm I am saying, if they're in the position they can afford really basic things for themselves, such as a home, food, bed. A home can be an apartment, etc. Then why not a program that helps them finding some companionship. I really don't think people shouldn't be allowed to have a pet just because they're income is iffy.... as long as they're needs are met some way or another...
I say this, because what makes it a better home that a person with a higher paying job can get it? I mean, a higher paying job no doubt implies more time in that job. The average person works 8 or more hours a day... So if the dog is awake for 12 hours a day out of the 24 hours, or say its awake for 15hours out of the 24... Why would one assume that their home would be better? Yes they can afford things better, but that also means the dog will probably be alone for 8hours or more a day- because lets face it. We work for a living and we can't afford to work less. Now this would be solved if the person had a spouse who they could alternate or even kids as well...
So it means dogs are really only suitable for high income homes with responsible kids... because from what I see, most married couples end up working(both of them).... so whose left behind to keep fido company? A dog being a social animal shouldn't be left alone for more than 4-6 hours tbh. Preferably no more than 4.
So really, people can find all sorts of justifications they want and look down on the people that are currently borderline poor... but they may have a bit more time on their hand s to at least keep the dog company.
You can say that you can hire someone to keep the dog company but I don't think the dog will be happy staying with a stranger for a long period of time...
Basic care simply means the hands down essentials. A dog can be fed a lower cost diet than what we feed our dog and still be healthy. Just need to look for it more or prepare it themselves.
A dog needs good quality food(you don't need to buy that food that claims to be imported meats and stuff because we both know that they're probably not imported as companies tend to lie), clean cool water, a clean space for them to be in with room to romp around (i.e. a tiled big room for a small dog, or the run of the house for a much bigger dog), a bed(I've seen dog beds out there and you don't need to buy that 200+ dollar bed that claims to be a dogs dream bed- as a dog will sleep just about anywhere comfortable and clean), some sturdy toys, vet visits, shots, etc.
But from the time I worked in that petstore there were people who would buy expensive water bowls that claimed to do a certain thing like actually filter the water- but when you took the mechanism apart you could see it wouldn't affect much of water quality and the stuff added wouldn't remove any hard metals- it would just be basic carbon which only does so much...
Or the really expensive 200 dollar beds that you could make yourself for 1/4 of the price tag... provided you can do some basic upholstery, and basic high school carpentry... or really, look at our dog and the time some clean clothes fell off my bed because I put them there and left to do something and I come back and find out that our dog did a little nest with them and slept on them.... or the time the sofa pillows(the loose ones) fell on the floor and she used it and slept on it....
There's really expensive foods out there that claim to be high quality but are quite the opposite and it's funny because some brands claim to be different but they're made by the same manufacturer...
I mean I admit not all dog foods are the same-- but I am saying you can find some good food-- excellent even if you're resourceful enough and read all of the labels... Besides, companies in general go for the cheaper materials available to save on costs and keep their income high... it's basic business. A better alternative and much cheaper would be making their own food raw... just boiling it for a short time to kill anything bad in it...
For the vet, shots, emergencies, check up, I am sure if you look through pet insurances there will be a few around that while may seem high in price actually have a better pay off rate from what Ive been told. So instead of one day having to pay thousands of dollars for that surgery that became an emergency, now you pay 0 or become refunded. Only having to pay 50 or so a month which maybe easier on someone who is on low income but isnt so low.
I agree someone without a place of their own, living on the streets exposed to the elements, with very little food money for themselves really shouldn't be owning a dog or an animal for that matter... not until they get themselves into a better standing... but someone who just makes a bit over enough to make meets end, and still have enough for simple things should be allowed, and if it's not so much enough I don't see any problem helping them out. Personally, when my friend was in a rough spot because she lost her job and couldnt afford the cat(it was so sudden) I pitched in and helped her out with the cat. Mind you, I actually hate cats, but I didnt want to see them be separated.
To be honest, what I'd like to see in the US is for there to be virtually no actual "poverty" and the term re-defined to mean someone on the lower end of the income spectrum but still able to afford basic needs, and some commodities.... Instead of what it seems the rich getting richer; while the unfortunate becoming poorer and more unfortunate.... as there is essentially no "middle-class" anymore... But that is a political view I guess. In general, I'd just like to see the world happier and taken care of so that everyone can enjoy the little things in life, and those who wish it, but could otherwise not afford or be able to at least enjoy some animal companionship.
If I could be of any impact I would love to fix society a bit-- like I am sure many want to do as well... Fairness, equality, is what I'd love to see the most.
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By the way I kind of want to point out that I know quite a bit of people who own animals like dogs and are barely home to even pay it attention... only there to walk it, change the water but not to spend time playing with it... mean while the dog is left at home all alone with nothing to do... which upsets me to think about.