Do you think lower income people can make good pet owners?

[Breny]

Do you think lower income people can make good pet owners?


One word: Absolutley

Originally Posted by chachi

There seems to be an underlying message with a few on here that you have to be comfortable income wise to be a good pet owner or care about your dog. I live in an old house thats been restored in a lower income neighborhood. I know many residents that live their that thier dogs are a priority. Sure there are some that dont but I think that goes in all income levels. Im not rich I am middle income and I do the very best to put a priority on my yorkies and cats. Whats your opinon on this?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by StarrIreland

Ooops that should be 8000 pounds[I think thats about $16000] and 1000.....

I now have a deal with my vet that every week to leave 20-30 pounds in lieu of future treatment.... I have now got enough to treat a serious complaint in 2 animals....

That is wonderful your vet offers you this option.

[misslissa]

As 21 year old collage student with two kids (brother 11 sister 16) that i have to care for, I can honestly say money gets tight.
I only get paid once every two weeks so this month when shots wear due i took one animal every two weeks (i have two cats and Gatsby) and got it done.
my animals are on a heart worm/flea preventative that costs $100 per animal i get one in January one in February and one in March and they are covered all year.
this saves me a lot of money in the long run but those three months are tight.
summer before last when Gatsby had to have his transfusion it was $700 I did not have it I had to borrow it from a friends mom until some of my school loans come in to pay her back.
my pets eat a mixture of home cooked and taste of the wild.
they have the best grooming products i can find and beds galore
Gatsby gets to go to the dog park every day
I really don't feel that more money in my budget will do anything other then help me fill out my closet

[QuickSilver]

This has been an interesting thread. I have thought about the maximum I would pay for a medical procedure for Thor, and I think I would stop somewhere around $15K, because I can't imagine that he would have a good quality of life if he required more than that. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think in some ways pets are better off in that death can be a natural part of their life, rather than going to extreme lengths to add very small amounts of time.

I never really thought about it before, but I have always assumed that pets with homeless owners are happy. They spend absolutely all of their time with their human, and I think that dogs, just like people, do better with a job. I think having such an important role as both companion and protector would be extremely satisfying for a dog.

At the same time, I am lucky that if I decided that I would spend more than $15K to save Thor's life, I could. I cannot imagine how devastated I would be if I had to make that kind of decision for him based on limitations in my finances, rather than 100 percent about what would be best for him.

[Patti]

My income was reduced to less than 1/3 of what I was making when I lost my job 6 years ago. I didn't go back to work because my parents needed my help on a daily basis. Then my husband took early retirement last January due to some health issues. So we went form making a good living to low income. I do have insurance on my 3, but that didn't cover Pixie's recent 2600.00 LP surgery. I have a Care Credit and savings for any vet emergencies. My babies are fed premium foods and Cali gets 60.00 month allergy medicine. I groom all 4 myself, something I never did when I was working and only had 1 dog. As times are getting tougher, I cut out their fancy treats and saved 40.00 a month, they get much more affordable treats and are just as happy. So I feel fortunate that even though our income is greatly reduced, I have the insurance on my 3, (Nikki is too old to insure), a good emergency fund and the Care Credit Card. I do know that 4 dogs at our income level would be risky if not for the financial precautions I have been able to put in place. But I also know that Nikki's owner was not in a financial situation to have him. She could not afford to feed herself much less Nikki. When I met her she was relying on neighbors to help her out with food and went without food many days. She always made sure Nikki had food but even that was becoming a struggle. I noticed that Nikki had terrible breath and wasn't eating good, but he wouldn't let us look at his mouth. I took Nikki to the vet for his shots and the vet looked in his mouth and showed us that his teeth were so decayed that he needed them all removed and major gum work done. It would run 900.00, an amount that Carol, his owner, had NO way of paying. This kind vet ended up doing the surgery for 400 and I put it on my Care Credit.
I can't imagine the pain he was in for who knows how long. Since I took Nikki in last February I had his records transferred to my vet. A couple of months ago they mentioned something about the information sheet from his rescue. I asked for a copy. I was really shocked to see that this well known Yorkie rescue adopted him out to Carol in the shape he was in and knowing Carol was on a limited income. Nikki lived for 2 years that I know of with horrible infected rotted teeth. So there are circumstances where your income can affect how you an care for your pet. Carol loved Nikki to pieces but really could not afford to care for him. I see every week at the shelter I volunteer for pets turned in because they need surgery or treatment that the owner's can't afford. I know no one can foresee their future, but it is heartbreaking to see these poor babies dumped in a shelter through no fault of their own wondering what the heck happened. So I feel income is only one factor in what makes a good pet owner. If you have a low income, but commit to making sure your pet will get the medical attention, love, food and shelter it needs you can make a good pet owner. I have also seen where people dump their pet because of health or training issues and have the money to take care of it but don't want to be bothered. It is easier for them to go out and get another pet and another if need be, because they can afford to. So having a good income doesn't make someone a good pet owner either.

[MidnightUnicorn]

"Do you think lower income people can make good pet owners?"

In a word: yes (I'm taking this question like Breny )

Likewise, higher income people can make good pet owners, too. It's about the owner's values and priorities when it comes to their pet. JMHO.

[Sgt_Cooper]

this reminds me oh a local foster parent add for kids.... the add goes on to state all the things annoying about moms and dads and all their imperfections, then the add goes on to say "but there are lots of kids that would love to put up with you".


My thoughts are this. Yes I think its great if all possible to give your dogs the best care you responsibly can. Not everybody can afford a specialty food, or vet expenses to the utmost, etc etc. But, every body can love a dog. of all the dogs that have nothing, just to be in a home and fed well even with the basic of food brand and just to be loved and taken care of. I do think its wise to check out the right dog and breed for you. If you don't have much for pricy vet bills. Then you might not want breed thats prone to more ailments than others, also if you don't have much extra in money you may not want a high maitenance dog you have to take to a groomer. So, there may be factors to consider for your budget but, Sure I think as long as you can give a dog a home and provide it food and water and the basics, well thats alot more than some get.

so I say sure!

[shodanusmc]

We would provide the same care, and always have to our dogs, weather we were struggling as we were years ago, to finally being able to say that Marge can stop working in perhaps 10 more years! If I did not have the money available for one of my dogs illnesses, I would find a way to get it. No, I do not believe you need to be well off to take care of a dog better. Money does not make the person. Matter of fact, I was planning on buying most likely my last Motorcycle. Well, Carlo's expenses come first, so no new Bike for me!

[evab]

Originally Posted by Sgt_Cooper

this reminds me oh a local foster parent add for kids.... the add goes on to state all the things annoying about moms and dads and all their imperfections, then the add goes on to say "but there are lots of kids that would love to put up with you".


My thoughts are this. Yes I think its great if all possible to give your dogs the best care you responsibly can. Not everybody can afford a specialty food, or vet expenses to the utmost, etc etc. But, every body can love a dog. of all the dogs that have nothing, just to be in a home and fed well even with the basic of food brand and just to be loved and taken care of. I do think its wise to check out the right dog and breed for you. If you don't have much for pricy vet bills. Then you might not want breed thats prone to more ailments than others, also if you don't have much extra in money you may not want a high maitenance dog you have to take to a groomer. So, there may be factors to consider for your budget but, Sure I think as long as you can give a dog a home and provide it food and water and the basics, well thats alot more than some get.

so I say sure!

I agree, with the above comments. I am on a tight budget and have three dogs, two of which came into our family without really planning for them. I put as much money by as I can for vet bills, but I could not afford major surgery, I have insurance, but it doesn't cover for everything. I groom them myself wherever possible, and treat minor ailments myself wherever possible. I do not buy myself expensive clothes or treats, I don't need them. I don't know what I would do if my furbys ever had to have anything majorly medical done at huge costs, sell my soul to the devil and sell anything and everything I own. I take everyday as it comes and my babies have all the love and attention I can give them, and they take everyday as it comes to. First job in the morning is breakfast and WALKIES in the park, come rain, snow or shine, they are my first thought and I know I am theirs, always.

[YorkieRose]

I was not able to read trhough all the posts...so this may be a repeat. When I started with my ONE pet Yorkie, I used send $10 a month to my vet.. Not much..but an office visit was about $15 back then...I built up a nice credit when needed...

[jer_lin]

back then=
I'm kind of like Yorkierose ;I traded chickens and eggs for my vet bills.
jerry

[BanditSocks2]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I don't think lower income people love thier pets any less, however, there needs to be something in place for veterinary care. There isn't anything more heartbreaking than an owner who can not afford unexpected medical expenses.

Well said It has nothing to do with the amount of love provide, just the necessities of life. An emergency credit card can come in handy if applied for in advance in these situations too.

My husband and I are both teachers so we sit right in the middle-ish of income levels, and we even get shocked at vet costs at times, but know they are a priority. Two weeks ago we spent almost $400 on a butt infection for poor Bandit.

[katienme2002]

One thing I wanted to add was that I have a care credit card for emergencies, so thats always an option and a great thing to have.

[TwoforFun]

I'm pretty certain any dog will prefer to be in a poor household, eating the cheapest dog food or scraps than lock in a cage all day.

Some people might not be able to afford the latest technology there is but there willing to pay what they are able to. All the dog asks for is there best judgement.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by TwoforFun

I'm pretty certain any dog will prefer to be in a poor household, eating the cheapest dog food or scraps than lock in a cage all day.

Some people might not be able to afford the latest technology there is but there willing to pay what they are able to. All the dog asks for is there best judgement.

Thats the way I look at it too.