Whether you have a pet or not, we can all agree that having a fluffy friend is a great addition to the family… but should everyone have one?
My immediate answer was yes because they are so lovely, but as I started looking into it, my answer changed to no. Not everyone should own an animal.
There are so many reasons why I think this, but I am going to name a few.
First, and I feel the most obvious reason, is that animals are a LOT of work. It doesn’t matter what kind of animal; when owning a pet you have to guarantee a schedule where you or someone else is in your home taking care of your pet the majority of the day, especially if you have a pet that requires activity. This means you are not actively traveling and are not working super long hours that leaves your pet alone, especially if they are required to be in a crate. Long hours away each day is not good for animals. They need to be able to exercise, have an area to go the bathroom, and food access.
The second reason is financial status. Animals are very expensive, whether it’s as small as a fish or as large as a horse, you have to guarantee you can put a part of your paycheck aside for your animals. The most popular pets people own are dogs. According to Rover, a dog can cost upwards of $5,000+ a year ($440 a month). This is being spent on food, veterinary bills, beds, toys, leashes, and more. For a lot of people, this is a significant amount of money that, for some, should be spending on necessities for themselves like rent or food.
My final reason is living space limitations. Most people do not provide enough space for their animals. Did you know that betta fish require a minimum of a 5-gallon tank to comfortably live? Probably not. Unfortunately, you usually see them being put in little fish bowls, random glass bottles, or small tanks. For a dog, you have to live on or near an open backyard or grass where they can run around/ an area where they can be taken on a walk. If you live in a tiny home or the city is it usually more difficult to find spaces for your pets to live.
The reason that people should be know these things before purchasing/adopting a pet is because often people don’t realize they can’t take care of an animal until after they have one. The sad truth is that this can lead to people leaving them on the side of the road, abusing them, or throwing them in garbage cans. It is recorded that 10 million animals die from abuse each year in the United States.
Let that sink in…
So please, if you are considering owning an animal do your research beforehand. Many people don’t and that’s what leads to misinterpretation of how an animal should be properly cared for.
Dear America, if you want a pet, make sure you are able to meet their needs.
