Should people continue to keep pets?
[theguardian.com]
2
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I find that article to be overly anthropomorphizing. It fails to look at the situation from the animals' points of view.
A horse can be a pet just as much as cats, dogs and parrots.
I regard it as incumbent upon those who keeps pets to learn not only the signalling system of the species, but also the personalities of each of their pets, and to provide husbandry accordingly.
My horse thoroughly enjoyed my company while she was alive. My two cats make it abundantly clear that they enjoy my company. Those of my Muscovy ducks that are pleased to come up to me to be hand fed wag their tails in delight; they much prefer to be hand fed rather than eating from the ground (as their peers do).
anglophone
Level 9
Dec 30, 2020
3
If I may give an opinion without visiting the link, I will.
It can feel cold, but pets for the sake of petting seems weak.. I’ve had dogs, and grew up with cats ...and seemingly everything in between ..thinking back. Not sure if it was as good for them as it was for we children (4), but the perspective they gave me was lasting.
As an adult, on a farm in the woods, dogs worked ..till a bear killed the last.. As an adult without a farm in the woods, I continue to pass on pets. Those who need them are obvious; perhaps the opposite is true as well.
From the perspective of the pet, I’d not want to take the chances..
Varn
Level 8
Dec 29, 2020
1
Keep pets... as opposed to setting them free? I think the pets are better off being taken care of by people.
Sure, there are instances of animal abuse/cruelty and in some cases it can be quite horrific, but I think the vast majority of pets are far better off with people rather than roaming free or euthanized.
I'd be in favor of getting rid of puppy mills and stop the in-breeding of pets to make "pure breeds". If you want a pet go get a mutt from the local animal shelter.
Charles1971
Level 7
Dec 29, 2020
3
@lulufaerie394 "Ignorance" by definition is taking on an issue you have no chance of resolving.
Your profile says you're here for community. The way you conduct yourself says otherwise.
@lulufaerie394 Let me rephrase my answer a bit more concisely. A pet can either 1) be kept as a pet, 2) be set free, or 3) be euthanized. I'm not aware of a fourth option. I don't see how option 2 or 3 would be better for the pet than option 1.
So, please explain how keeping a pet is arrogant or ignorant rather than let them roam free (where they'd live much harsher and shorter lives) or be euthenized? Or explain what the fourth option is that I'm not aware of.
And so what if I called an animal a "mutt". Mutt is a term that implies an animal of mixed breed rather than a pure bred (which is obtained by repeated inbreeding).
And maybe you could respond without rudeness and insults if you are capable of doing so.
@LovinLarge Right?!? She’s missing a few marbles, methinks.
Professor of physics said we spend more on
pet grooming in u.s than alternative energy.
Folks do deserve comfort / companionship
with pets. Is it s little over the TOP 
I worked on farms so ... animals were here to
begin with : most farmers bond with their animals
as I bond with the wild birds I feed ,,,we would not be
here WITHOUT a bio- sphere....
Thank you for the topic...
BBJong
Level 7
Dec 29, 2020
1
@lulufaerie394 Let's see your evidence that "someone's dog or cat doesn't find joy in being in a house most of their lives while ignoring their basis instincts".
@lulufaerie394 ,,,I am not a psychologist ~ and when I was young , folks were ridiculed for having
issues with companionship or loneliness.
I for one don't critic how others COPE with conditions that are shown to- KILL HUMANS
, and that would be loneliness & isolation. I error
on the side of / if it helps some stay relatively
balanced in life ( as opposed to feeling outcast and
bereft of connection to reality & life )- i might BUY SOME FOLKS A PET. It is not a perfect solution.
It is a deep topic and I respect views / and insight I don't have ; this is growth to me
🟤🟠
🟣
Thanks
without mine, my mental health would suffer. But in all truth, she adopted me. I've lived alone without one, it's not the same walking in the door without a buddy waiting for me. And she's not a happy kitty without me coming home and spending time with her every day.
Larimar
Level 8
Dec 29, 2020
2
Yeah, well, without my dogs and cats to come home to after my wife passed I'd have been absolutely crazy. It would be awful lonely without them.
starwatcher-al
Level 7
Dec 29, 2020
4
@lulufaerie394 I really don't understand your comment. These critters are well cared for and their every need as far as I can understand is taken care of. Believe me they let me know what they want and need.
I skimmed the article, which seemed a little over the top for deeper perusal.
Pets that are purchased “ethically” (meaning not from a pet store or a “mill” that mass produces animals without concern for their welfare) are fine with me.
Pets bring much joy to owners’ lives, and many of them do indeed love their life and human family. Well-loved, well-cared-for pets have a great life ... better than they would running the streets struggling to survive.
Apunzelle
Level 7
Dec 29, 2020
2
@lulufaerie394 Uhh, Ok, loony bin. 
Exotic animals no. I don't believe birds should be caged. Animals we have domesticated through breeding for centuries, especially dogs, yes. We need to cut way back on breeding. Around here they have a catch/neuter/release program for feral cats.
Sticks48
Level 9
Dec 29, 2020
2
@lulufaerie394 Most people are not worth my time. The dogs we have domesticated over time would not last a week in the wild. If you actually know anything about dogs then you know they need us as much or more than we need them. if you don't know this then you really do not understand what we have bred dogs to be in th last couple of hundred years or more. Go get a Chihuahua, Pug, Dachshund, Pekingese, and the list goes on, drop them in the woods, go back the next day and look for their remains if there are any. These are no longer wild animals and haven't been for a long, long, long, time. The dogs that do survive will form packs and become very dangerous. I guess you could go out and shoot them. That would be so much better than living in a nice house and getting treated like royalty.
I don't feel sorry for rats when I dust the strychnine to kill them. I wish I had a boa constrictor to feed them to. I eat meat, I wear leather shoes. If I want to own a pet, I'll do that too. SMH
barjoe
Level 9
Dec 29, 2020
1
@lulufaerie394 Humans. I care about humans. I don't like rats, bats, mice and snakes. Not the pet variety, the vermin variety. I don't tolerate animal cruelty, but I don't feel bad killing a bug, eating meat or wearing leather.
Ooooh, nooooooooo, it's better to just let them loose to breed indiscriminately & predate all the other wildlife, and live lives full of disease & suffering.....just like in several 3rd-world countries
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Dec 29, 2020
5
@lulufaerie394 i bet you think PETA did a great job "freeing" 1500 minks on a mink farm...instead of running off to "enjoy their freedom", they fought each other to the death, en masse. ignorance is dangerous!
The more immediate question is should we keep intentionally breeding pets and the resounding answer is "NO"!
LovinLarge
Level 8
Dec 29, 2020
2
@lulufaerie394 You're just complaining, I'm interested in a real solution. You won't last long here, thankfully.
If it’s “mutually” beneficial.
GoodMan
Level 7
Dec 29, 2020
2
@lulufaerie394 It seems your preference would be for everyone to set their pets free and let them roam the streets and woods.... where they'd likely die of exposure, get killed by predators, or starve to death. Do you think that would be better for a pet rather than living in comfort and safety, receiving care and attention and plenty of food? It sounds like you'd rather see animals suffer unnecessarily. That's quite horrible of you.
@lulufaerie394 Maybe it’s your interpretation or reasoning that doesn’t make sense. My dog Choco had a choice. I accidentally dropped his leash while walking him one day when he was a puppy (years ago). He ran so fast, I couldn’t catch up to him, and was sure he’d get lost or something bad would happen. I was more than a mile away from home at the time, and I looked everywhere for him. (so I thought). I was so frustrated until I got home, and found him sitting on my porch. He found his way home on his own. (True story)
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