But ultimately what’s “enough money to care for a pet” isn’t really knowable, in the sense that “care” also includes medical/surgical treatment in case of an illness or accident. No one gets a pet with the expectation that they might face a $1500. vet charge for some urgent care, and they certainly don’t put aside something like that. But facing a situation like that is increasingly common as veterinary medicine is able to do more sophisticated treatment.
Dogs are sentient beings and God’s creatures too. Their value should not be based on their commercial value. I have not heard anyone question the cost of cars, holidays, hobbies or any other expenses of their family/relatives/friends.
I don’t eat any animal but that is not relevant. There are some human beings whose lives are a waste of fresh air but I would not advocate letting them die.
As long as we are not asking money from you, not for you to judge or tell us what to do… Since you obviously don’t care for animals, what do you know about vet practices really? Throughout the world, in the US, in your city?
I’m not sure what a “vet-like place” is, and while a “good vet” might not charge $3000 for surgery, a GREAT vet might, depending on the procedure being done and the animal involved. We have horses, and $3000 for a major surgical procedure on a horse is entirely possible and reasonable and most certainly not “plainly wrong.”
On this we can totally agree!!!
They took the pet to Texas A&M for special tests. That’s not, I’m assuming, their regular vet. That’s usually an emergency-type situation – at least that’s what most people use it for – and therefore the prices are going to be more expensive because it’s an emergency room. It’s also a teaching hospital so they’re going to have different tests that they are capable of running. And, yes, I know what I’m talking about because I live in the town where Texas A&M is located and I’ve used their emergency services for my own pet.
I disagree. Do you realize how many animals would be euthanized if each pet owner has to agree the sky is the limit on spending? So many people could not care for animals if that was a requirement. Animals are wonderful, and I agree pet owners should take proper care to give their pets a good life. But if paying for your pets major surgery/expenses means you can’t pay your bills or take proper care of your children, give alms etc than it is sinful to spend the money on a pet at the expense of family well being. I have been a pet owner all my life. But we have sadly had euthanize a couple of our beloved pets over the years because the medical expenses were to great. Animals are wonderful but they are not people.
Yup.
Yes, this is the best approach IMO. We spent $2000 on our dog that was only one years old to have surgery, but it was a surgery that gave our dog a better quality of life for the next 10 or so years. We would have probably come to a much different decision if the surgery was required at the end of the dog’s life. My SIL thinks absolutely nothing of spending gobs of money on their dogs, including the above example of cancer treatment. It only helped the one dog live an additional 3 months. Its her and my brother’s money and if that’s the way they want to spend it, then so be it. But I wouldn’t be making the same decisions they make concerning treatment of a pet. I don’t plan on being buried with my pets either, as I have certain family members that think that’s a great idea. My dogs are my PETS, not my spouse or my child and will not be treated in the same manner as such.