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Is it ethical to keep a pet? on Vegan Forum

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BigBecka

I got thinking about the whole treating animals as property thing, and the comparisons that are often made on this website to slavery. Some people used to (some still do!) treat their slaves very well, and even had relationships with them. But it is commonly accepted that slavery is wrong. So, is owning an animal wrong? My thoughts: I grew up in a family that kept pets, and I think it is useful for a child to have a pet, so that they learn responsibility, compassion, and ultimately they will learn to cope with death. And I really miss having an animal in the house :cry: BUT at the same time I now feel a little uneasy with the concept - I mean, do animals want to live with us? We always had rescue pets, who seemed quite happy. I'm confused! :confused2:

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AndyBa

I think it's ok to have pets.. but I personally don't want to have one.. too much responsibility.. and one have to give up his freedom for his pet. Can't travel freely etc

Sergio

BigBecka wrote: I got thinking about the whole treating animals as property thing, and the comparisons that are often made on this website to slavery. [skip] Do you think adapting homeless animals is slavery? Is there other solution to saving animals?

BigBecka

Quote: Do you think adapting homeless animals is slavery? The animal would probably be killed if you didn't take it home. My family always "adopted" animals from rescue shelters, and they seemed happy enough - they certainly became very distressed if they perceived you to be trying to abandon them (e.g. getting into a car, or putting them in boarding kennels). And you wouldn't be directly supporting animal breeders/farmers. (I have heard some awful stories about farms that breed pedigree cats and dogs :cry: Or poachers that steal bird and lizard eggs to sell as exotic pets?) A cat will just leave if it doesn't like you :wink: I don't know about dogs - it is more difficult for them to escape, and I think they instinctively want to be in a pack anyway? Caged animals and fish don't have a choice. Quote: I personally don't want to have one.. ...Can't travel freely etc This is true - I can't have a cat or dog because I live in a small rented shared house, and I'm not always in it! :cry: that's how I got thinking about buying a small pet like a fish or lizard. Quote: Is there other solution to saving animals? It's a tough one :( They shouldn't need saving! :x But if mankind has domesticated certain animals, or destroyed natural habitats, I suppose we also have an obligation to care for animals? I'm not sure how this is best done - maybe it depends on the animal. A thought: Maybe in a vegan future, people will keep pet cows and pigs, in the same way that some people continue to keep horses nowadays? :D

GreenBro

To have pets i think i`ts normal ! as was sad i`ts even good for devoloping responsability ... other times they can "serve" as our best soul frieds :) offcourse are diferent peoples with diferent idias about animals ... some of them use them for diferent jobs ... and i think that tipe of "friendship" must be regulated with some norms. i had and i gwess in my home allways will be someone :) i`m dependent of some unhuman noise :D cheers!

Red Jester

If anybody has ever fed a stray cat you will definitely find that animals befriend humans. The former tenants of the house I live in left behind their cat. Of course I had to keep feeding it. When my visitors see the cat they ask, "Is that your cat." and I say, "It's more like. . . . I'm it's human." Hmnn. . . . what you're not seeing now are the paragraphs I just erased. The more I think about a moral guideline to having or owning pets the less it makes sense. Arrggghhh. .. well damnit! It seems wrong now but there's no way I'm giving up my 3 cats.

BigBecka

Quote: When my visitors see the cat they ask, "Is that your cat." and I say, "It's more like. . . . I'm it's human." Yes, I know that feeling well! My Dad's cat expects to fed, and scowls at us if we don't pay enough attention :o Quote: i had and i gwess in my home allways will be someone i`m dependent of some unhuman noise :lol: I know that feeling too :D After my dog died, I used to keep "hearing" barking when I was upstairs or in the bath... very creepy... Anyway, I am told I cannot have a pet until I clean the house :evil: cheeky sods...