How much should be spent to care for a pet?

[Larry1700]

A few months ago my daughter and her husband purchased a dog from Fuzzy Friends animal shelter. I don’t know all the specific details, but last week they had to take it to Texas A&M for special tests, intravenous feeding, overnight monitoring, etc. So far, it has cost them $3000!!!

I realize that when we take in one of God’s creatures, it is incumbent upon us to care for it, but surely there are limits. In my opinion, $3000 is way too much, since they could use those funds for their (future) children or other family needs, to make donations, etc.

They (and we, I must admit), spend money on “treats” and toys for our pets. As I said, I would think there should be some limitations (percentage of income, percentage of charity contributions, or some other rule of thumb).

Does the Church provide any guidance on such matters?

 

[stephe1987]

From the Catechism:

Respect for the integrity of creation

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.196

2416 Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

 

[robwar]

A few months ago my daughter and her husband purchased a dog from Fuzzy Friends animal shelter. I don’t know all the specific details, but last week they had to take it to Texas A&M for special tests, intravenous feeding, overnight monitoring, etc. So far, it has cost them $3000!!!

I realize that when we take in one of God’s creatures, it is incumbent upon us to care for it, but surely there are limits. In my opinion, $3000 is way too much, since they could use those funds for their (future) children or other family needs, to make donations, etc.

They (and we, I must admit), spend money on “treats” and toys for our pets. As I said, I would think there should be some limitations (percentage of income, percentage of charity contributions, or some other rule of thumb).

Does the Church provide any guidance on such matters?

To answer your basic question, the Church does not provide detail and specific guidance
on what one may or may not spend on their pet. while spending $3000 on a pet sounds on the surface very expensive, you also admit that you do not have all the facts and just like medical care for humans, medical care for pets can jump up very quickly as well. Since they are adults and married, what they decided to spend on this pet or anything else is really none of anyone business and without all the details known, not for you or anyone else to judge. There are many more frivilous things and very stupid things that people spend $3000 on. Would you feel the same way if $3000 was spend on furniture or clothes or decorating the home etc an so on. Frankly, its none of your business.

 

[Lasting_faith]

As much at is needed.

 

[severus68]

As much at is needed.

Yes!

 

[severus68]

A few months ago my daughter and her husband purchased a dog from Fuzzy Friends animal shelter. I don’t know all the specific details, but last week they had to take it to Texas A&M for special tests, intravenous feeding, overnight monitoring, etc. So far, it has cost them $3000!!!

I realize that when we take in one of God’s creatures, it is incumbent upon us to care for it, but surely there are limits. In my opinion, $3000 is way too much, since they could use those funds for their (future) children or other family needs, to make donations, etc.

They (and we, I must admit), spend money on “treats” and toys for our pets. As I said, I would think there should be some limitations (percentage of income, percentage of charity contributions, or some other rule of thumb).

Does the Church provide any guidance on such matters?

Why do you feel the need to control their spending? They did not spend that money on fancy collars and dog clothes. The Church does not tell us how much we should spend on our hobbies, cars and holidays and I think spending to help another of God’s creatures is money better spent.

 

[alice24]

As much at is needed.

Yes, exactly. I love my pet and I would never say “I will pay until this financial border is reached”. If you think this way, please never get a pet.

To the special situation: a dog is very expensive, and it is not uncommon to spent so much money at the veterenarian. Of course some people pay for services they don´t really need but when a pet gets ill this sum can be normal.

 

[severus68]

Yes, exactly. I love my pet and I would never say “I will pay until this financial border is reached”. If you think this way, please never get a pet.

To the special situation: a dog is very expensive, and it is not uncommon to spent so much money at the veterenarian. Of course some people pay for services they don´t really need but when a pet gets ill this sum can be normal.

I agree. Don’t get a pet unless you are prepared to love it and take care of it for life.

 

[Le_Cracquere]

As the Catechism suggests: if your daughter were skimping on her own medical care, her husband’s, or her children’s in order to provide care for her pet, that would be a grave problem. But I don’t gather that’s the case. Ergo, no problem.

One spends on a pet as much as wanted or needed, as long as one can afford it without shorting the human members of the family, one’s church, or other such obligations.

 

[ExGratia]

To answer your basic question, the Church does not provide detail and specific guidance
on what one may or may not spend on their pet. while spending $3000 on a pet sounds on the surface very expensive, you also admit that you do not have all the facts and just like medical care for humans, medical care for pets can jump up very quickly as well. Since they are adults and married, what they decided to spend on this pet or anything else is really none of anyone business and without all the details known, not for you or anyone else to judge. There are many more frivilous things and very stupid things that people spend $3000 on. Would you feel the same way if $3000 was spend on furniture or clothes or decorating the home etc an so on. Frankly, its none of your business.

Just thought this message bears repeating. Yes, frankly, it is none of your business.

 

[KrazyKat]

Why do you feel the need to control their spending? They did not spend that money on fancy collars and dog clothes. The Church does not tell us how much we should spend on our hobbies, cars and holidays and I think spending to help another of God’s creatures is money better spent.

 

[Aggie414]

I agree with all the PPs. I am one that will spend just about everything to keep my pets healthy – I spent about $1800 (several years ago) when my poodle was diagnosed with diabetes, trying to get her insulin levels stabilized. We had just gotten to that point when she went into heart failure. I then gave her medicine to try and keep her comfortable (vet said there was no cure, that this was the end); but that only lasted three days as she started having trouble breathing again and I made the decision to put her down because she was not getting better. But I had the peace of mind of knowing I had done everything I could.

But to answer one specific point in your OP, you said something to the effect of “they could save that money for their future children, et cetera.” How they choose to spend their disposable income is their choice. They are not asking you for financial help so they’re obviously able to handle it. They can always save up for future purchases once they get their dog stabilized. And as to saving up for future children, what happens if that doesn’t happen? I am single and I do a lot of stuff. And I’ve had people in the past when I was getting ready to do whatever – go on a fantastic trip, buy a house… – say, “You should wait to do that until you’re married.” If I had followed their advice, I would do nothing but sit on the couch – I’m 43. While planning for the future is great, you can’t put your life on hold for something that may or may not happen!

 

[agnes_therese]

In large part, it depends on what they can afford. If they can afford this – and you didn’t say anything about them going hungry or having their electricity turned off for not paying the bill – then that’s fine. There are a lot of things about which you could say “they could use those funds for their (future) children or other family needs, to make donations, etc.” – cable TV, jewelry, eating out . . . In fact, they may think that about some of the things you buy!

 

[Kelfa28]

Hubby and I would never spend that much money on a pet.

However, that is just one reason why we choose not to own a pet like a dog or a cat. I could find better ways to spend what little money we do have. It would be unfair to bring in an animal we wouldn’t go to the moon and back for.

My parents have two dogs and my sister and my BIL had two dogs…but are down to one since they were unable to handle two after their baby was born.

I think some of the things that my parents do with their pets are silly and slightly extravagant…but I know they love those dogs and would do just about anything for them. So, I let it go and I never say anything.

I probably wouldn’t say anything at all unless I knew they or, even more so, a child was being withheld medical care in order to pay for a pet’s care instead.

 

[severus68]

To answer your basic question, the Church does not provide detail and specific guidance
on what one may or may not spend on their pet. while spending $3000 on a pet sounds on the surface very expensive, you also admit that you do not have all the facts and just like medical care for humans, medical care for pets can jump up very quickly as well. Since they are adults and married, what they decided to spend on this pet or anything else is really none of anyone business and without all the details known, not for you or anyone else to judge. There are many more frivilous things and very stupid things that people spend $3000 on. Would you feel the same way if $3000 was spend on furniture or clothes or decorating the home etc an so on. Frankly, its none of your business.

All true.

 

[10gr8kids]

Looks like I might be a dissenting veiw, but here goes.

While it would be hard to say how much would be too much, and it would be different for each individual, I don’t hold to “whatever it takes”. It is true most of us spend money unwisely, that doesn’t make it right. I believe God will judge us on how we spend our money and how we help our fellow human beings.

As it says in the catechism,
“One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection only due humans.”

I have pets and I love them and provide for their basic needs of shelter, food, and vet supplies. If one gets hurt or sick I do what I can within reason. I would not go into debt or take money I give to charity for my pet’s medical expenses. As much as it would pain me to lose my pet, it would pain me more to say to Jesus, “I saw you sick, but my pet needed medical attention.”

 

[Aggie414]

Looks like I might be a dissenting veiw, but here goes.

While it would be hard to say how much would be too much, and it would be different for each individual, I don’t hold to “whatever it takes”. It is true most of us spend money unwisely, that doesn’t make it right. I believe God will judge us on how we spend our money and how we help our fellow human beings.

As it says in the catechism,
“One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection only due humans.”

I have pets and I love them and provide for their basic needs of shelter, food, and vet supplies. If one gets hurt or sick I do what I can within reason. I would not go into debt or take money I give to charity for my pet’s medical expenses. As much as it would pain me to lose my pet, it would pain me more to say to Jesus, “I saw you sick, but my pet needed medical attention.”

I respect your opinion – I disagree with it, but I respect it I think the issue is, though, the OP is disagreeing with the way his/her adult, grown, independent children are choosing to spend their money on their pet by saying they are spending money they could be saving for future children or other purchases or giving to charity. It is their right to spend their money the way they see fit. And who says they are not giving to charity?

There is no indication that they cannot afford the money they’re spending on their dog just that it’s not the way the OP would spend it. Since they are not doing anything morally wrong, I say live and let live. Because if we start down that road, it never ends – what if you don’t like the amount that someone spent on a couch, a chair, a vacation?

 

[10gr8kids]

I respect your opinion – I disagree with it, but I respect it I think the issue is, though, the OP is disagreeing with the way his/her adult, grown, independent children are choosing to spend their money on their pet by saying they are spending money they could be saving for future children or other purchases or giving to charity. It is their right to spend their money the way they see fit. And who says they are not giving to charity?

There is no indication that they cannot afford the money they’re spending on their dog just that it’s not the way the OP would spend it. Since they are not doing anything morally wrong, I say live and let live. Because if we start down that road, it never ends – what if you don’t like the amount that someone spent on a couch, a chair, a vacation?

Maybe you misunderstood my point of veiw. As I said how much is too much is different for everybody. What I don’t agree with is “whatever it takes”. If it takes more than what we can afford and we neglect our other responsibilities it would be too much.

You are right that I don’t know if that criteria has been met with the OP’s family. You are also right that it is their money and they can spend it how they want. We will all have to answer to God for the way we use the gifts He has given us.

 

[lucylove1]

If there is not enough money to care for a pet, one should not get one. As long as they are not getting into trouble for helping their pet I think it’s alright. I mean, hopefully, they’re still paying their rent and utilities and have money to buy their groceries and maintain all their responsibilities, it should be OK. I think.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Maybe you misunderstood my point of veiw. As I said how much is too much is different for everybody. What I don’t agree with is “whatever it takes”. If it takes more than what we can afford and we neglect our other responsibilities it would be too much.

You are right that I don’t know if that criteria has been met with the OP’s family. You are also right that it is their money and they can spend it how they want. We will all have to answer to God for the way we use the gifts He has given us.

From Catechism:

It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

Nevertheless, I don’t know how to gage at what point our money could have gone to relief of human misery vs being spent on a pet. I guess we can figure based on our current contributions to charity, the needs our pet has, and whether it would be better to put them down to avoid needless pain and expenses and use that money towards helping other humans instead.