Cross Breeds

How is all the dog fanaticism good for dogs?

Animal rights activism has made owning a dog the "right way" something that only rich people can afford and in my opinion that's the reason why there are more and more dogs in shelters everyday. How is all of that good for the dogs? Why is is so hard for so many dog fanatics to realize that dogs are not human beings? I know that dogs have rights too but these days it seems they have more rights than children and it shouldn't be that way.

Public Comments

1. The measure of a society is in how it treats the ones that need help. Basically the treatment of kids, old folks, and pets.
2. I don't believe you have to be rich to own a dog the right way. I'm certainly not rich and I have two dogs that I care for very much. Unlike a lot of people though, I am responsible with owning dogs. I budget for them instead of assuming things will take care of themselves. That way when a health emergency comes up, I have money tucked away for it, just for the dogs. I save and budget so that I can feed them healthy foods and make sure their lives are full and balanced. If people can't afford to properly care for a dog then they shouldn't have one. Plain and simple.
3. Actually true AR nuts don't agree with pet ownership. No one said you had to be rich to own a dog but common sense says don't buy an animal that's going to be a 10 year or more commitment if you know you can't AFFORD it. Its not society's job to take care of the animal you got knowing you couldn't really afford it any more than it is with one's car or home. Yes people's situations change, and that's different, but people who knowingly get dogs cheap/free etc knowing that their money is better off going towards them and their struggling household get no sympathy from me. And no the reason there are more dogs in shelters these days is because dogs have become something that can be easily tossed aside when they are no longer cute, or become to hard to deal with because they weren't trained. Owning dog is a privilege and a luxury not a right.
4. well, i'm not rich by any means.. but i've always had dogs in my life so i budget myself and make reasonable choices with my dog. i rescued an adult small dog of a type with very few known health problems so right away i save money on food because he doesn't hardly eat anything and he's quite healthy.. i also put aside an emergency fund (not just for the dog but that's normally where the money goes :\ ) because accidents and illnesses do happen.. i know that i will likely outlive him and that he doesn't understand some of the things that we as humans understand... my family had a 13 year old vizsla with cancer and people were actually offended that we didn't try chemo! DOGS DON'T UNDERSTAND CANCER OR CHEMO.. .. dogs understand comfort so I will do everything i can to keep my dog comfortable if you can't keep your pets comfortable then you shouldn't have them but keeping them comfortable doesn't always mean spending a ton of money on medical procedures.. sometimes it means knowing when to let go and say goodbye too many people keep their animals alive not for the animal, but for themselves (or in the case of a certain animal shelter near me, for publicity) and i think that's wrong
5. AR are against dog ownership, period. I don't see how only rich people can afford to have dogs, however, it only makes sense that you can afford to keep it. If you can't afford vet bills, why have a dog. I fail to see the link between this and why so many dogs are in shelters. They are there because we live in a "see it, buy it" society. We are also a throw away society. Some dogs were an impulse purchase, and later regretted. Many dogs in shelters are there simply because the owner no longer finds them convenient, or too time consuming or simply more work than they expected. They wanted Lassie without bothering to train it.
6. The "right way" is so bad? Laws governing pets require only the most basic of care: Food, water, shelter, and NECESSARY vet care. You don't have to take your dog for a checkup every year, but you do have to get a rabies vaccine as required (to prevent the disease from spreading-and this law is to protect HUMANS, not dogs). You also have to provide MINIMAL vet care-you can't leave a dog in pain with a broken leg, or an open, infected sore on his face. Hell, you don't even HAVE to provide the vet care-you can have the dog euthanized if you're too cheap to pay for vet care. WHY is it so much to ask that you not leave a living thing in pain? That you provide them with life essentials when you choose to take them into your home? WHAT rights, exactly, are you talking about that dogs have? I don't know of dogs having many rights where I live.
7. Do you honestly believe that treating an animal with respect and consideration to it and it's needs is only for so called "Rich people"? You're right dogs are NOT human beings. But try to understand that dogs have about the same level of intelligence as that of a 3or 4 yr. old. Children need fed,clothed,a clean SAFE environment to live in. They need discipline,socialization, an education and exercise. They need medical and dental care and constant mental stimulation.And they need to be treated in a respectful,considerate manner.And most importantly- LOVED. Now try to understand that dogs need the exact same things the child does just at a different level of importance. Providing for all their needs is the "RIGHT WAY". It doesn't cost anything to show some consideration and respect to a dog so why do you think you have to be rich? I know several people who have lived in their cars with their dogs and they didn't seem to have a problem with it. They looked happy and healthy and well cared for. And I for one am glad that FINALLY opinions about animals and how they are treated have not only changed but the word has spread to the point where it does at times seem like they have more rights than humans do. It' about time people became aware and are going out of their way to end the abuse and neglect these animals ancestors suffered at the hands of our stupid ancestors.