Too many pets

I had to bite my tongue when a relative of mine took a Romanian dog! She could have just gone to Battersea!

Yes I’m withFNHI on this subject. I try not to wear my judgey pants too often but the idea of importing street dogs from Eastern Europe when we have shelters and rescues full here doesn’t feel right. Many of the imported dogs have lived in the streets scavenging, killing small animals to survive. Putting them in houses and expecting them to adjust to domestic life feels cruel

Well said FNHI

FNH1

It would make no difference if all breeding of dogs was stopped in the UK for 5 years or more when we are importing dogs from Romania and every other corner of the world. We can't sort out our own problems with dogs and yet we take in street dogs from elsewhere.
Every dog needs a home wherever it comes from but preventing the breeding of Pedigree dogs of recognised breeds will just wipe out recognised breeds and leave us with mutts and what's the point of that?

Pets living at home is good. But many throw them out on the street, increasing the number of stray animals. This is something to think about before you bought a cat.

I have a dog or two all my life and I love them but they come with great responsibility if they are to have a correct quality of life. And if the owner wants to have the correct quality of life. I also run a FB page raising money for the rescues that save all the unwanted, uncared for damaged dogs that people buy, ill treat and then discard for many different reasons, just fed up with it, going on holiday, got too old etc. You wouldn't believe the many reasons people come up with for discarding a living breathing animal. In my opinion all dog breeding should be stopped in this country for at least 5 years to allow the dog population to stabilise. Behind the sofa breeders or greeders as they are commonly known should get massive fines and not be allowed to even keep a dog again. The health issues these dogs have would take up a whole hard drive. They don't care they just want the money and if you suspect someone is breeding for money and they are not licensed you should report them to HMRC or the Benefits Office. Both have hot lines where you can do it anonymously and believe me they take it seriously. Especially HMRC - they do a home visit and a fine is issued. Don't just sit back do something to stop this evil trade in living things.

Too many pets ? Too many animals in general ? Taking up space which could be used for yet more humans ? Surely the world’s true problem is too many people ...... Think it through .....

Thoroughly agree much more regulation of dogs needed. No one should have a dog if they work full time. My neighbour does, and even tho there's a professional walker involved, the rest of the day it's yapping mournfully. As for cats, absolutely not cooped up all day unless there's an over riding reason. A healthy cat needs to play, chase things, scratch trees, bury etc. And contrary to what people think, a cat can be a loving and faithful and sociable friend.

My cats sleep in a box that a new Hoover came in and it's lined with a pink fleecy blanket that my 22yo had on her pram when she was a baby. No expensive designer pet goods here!

I know families who have incredibly busy lives & financial tension who then, inexplicably imo, add a dog to the mix!
That is not a good idea because a dog needs time, care and walks. One near us was left in the garden to bark all day every day, not fair on the dog and not fair on the neighbours either.

One of my 'pet' hates are people who have the latest must have dog, then shut it away in the kitchen because they can't be bothered to train it.
I know someone who did this then went away at weekends too leaving a neighbour to look after it. Eventually she reluctantly allowed someone else to take the animal who now has a wonderful life with the new owners.

I've kept off this because I'm raw with grief after the death of my six year old dog. He was my first pup since 1974, since when I've rescued and also fostered for a specific breed charity. Six years ago, I decided if I was ever to have the fun of a pup I'd better get on with it before I was too old. He was carefully chosen from a good breeder, both his parents from lines who had been health tested (certificates to prove this came with his papers). He developed an inoperable tumour and within weeks became so ill we had to make that last loving decision for him.
I grew up with dogs and cats, was involved with riding and horses till I was in my late 50's. My children the same (though they're only in their 30's..).
Of course I share the frustration about people who decide to "get a puppy" only to be sending it to a rescue charity by the time its 7 - 17 months because guess what, dogs, especially young dogs take that valuable commodity - time. The majority of dog/pet owners are responsible. As Miss A said, pet owning is up there amongst the list of things that help support our mental health.
My dogs have walked with me through various difficulties, bereavements and health problems. They have helped my children and now grandchildren to grow up with a sense of responsibility, definitely knowing never to torment dogs, or go near them when they're eating. I've never had a dog who threatened people, they've all been soft, gentle things, especially where small children are concerned. My remaining huge dog sits by the babies prams, coming to get us if a baby cries.
I'm certain that the positives around pet ownership far outweigh the negatives. I do wish though, that people who are considering getting a dog would do their research. If they want a quiet, easy to train, non shedding dog - please buy a stuffed toy.

The planet’s resources
Too many people is more worrying than too many animals, gobbling up the resources.

It is also good for an only child to have pets, especially if they don't have other children living nearby.
It teaches them a sense of responsibility too if they are the ones encouraged to feed them, clean their bowls, make sure have fresh water etc.

One of the wider implications of owning a pet that you can afford, that you've planned, and that you've time to look after is that its marvellous for your mental health, your physical health if it involves taking them out for walks, and probably wards off all sorts of health issues.

Culag

And what about the wider implications? The planet’s resources. All the pet food has to be grown and packaged, the pet toys, bedding and accessories the pet outlets all have these days. It all takes energy and resources

I presume you meant that as a jokey comment! If it isn't, words fail me. There are wider implications to everything.

MamaCaz Sun 27-Jan-19 19:24:35
Culag

And what about the wider implications? The planet’s resources. All the pet food has to be grown and packaged, the pet toys, bedding and accessories the pet outlets all have these days. It all takes energy and resources.

A very, very good point.

Well my dogs eat meat, it has very little packaging, less than my own food and comes direct from the abattoir. They share their toys and really have very few as their best toys are each other. Their bedding has been passed down from previous dogs and when I replace my sofa throws etc they make use of them which is better than throwing them out. Last year I splashed out and bought them all new bowls which was more to please me than them but I can tell their bowls apart at a glance now and they averaged around a tenner each. Shops may be full of toys and accessories but I don't feel the need to buy them very often. I spend my money how I please and that's as it should be.

I do agree there need to be increasing management of domestic pets. Mostly for the health & safety of the animals.

nearly 18 months ago I acquired my tabby cat from a local rescue centre. They (and their vet) thought she was around 5-8 years old, but when the chipping certificate came through turned out, they were out by ten years. They offered to exchange her, but by that time she had been with me for about 8 weeks and we will getting used to each other. The rescue centre checked my home before permitting me to even start the process and were very insistent that their cats should have access to outside.
It became obvious that my Abbi had never been outside or up any stairs during her previous 17 years. Introduced her to the garden last spring, and she took to it reasonably well. One thing is that she does not know how to climb even a low fence, neither has she learnt to use a cat flat (I have to keep these tied up open for her). However, having got rid of a litter tray indoors in the summer, I was not going to start it again for the winter. So, she does go into the garden once or twice a day - not very happy about this in the colder weather.
In the better weather she she strolls round the garden, checking that no other cat dares to come into her territory - on occasions that one did, she went absolutely mad and terrified them. She also comes upstairs to check that I am actually still here and not gone out. In fact, she has trained me very well and, although, she will not sit on my lap, is a good companion.
When she first arrived, she would flinch if I approached her with anything at all in my hand (pen, brush), never seen an animal flinch like this. But she has stopped doing that now and loves her daily brushing.
There was such careful checking of me before I was given the form to go the rescue centre, my home, the garden (was it near to a main road), who would feed her, if I was away. Perhaps this is what needs to be done to everyone who want to have a pet - and then they achieve a certificate saying what sort of animal they are permitted to have. sure genuine pet lovers would be more than happy to pay something for this.

I'd love another cat, haven't had one for years now, practically everyone in my family seems to be allergic, to me they were always the perfect pet, I love them but any domestic animal is a tie. I do really like dogs as well, but have never owned one in spite of nagging my parents as a child, my father in particular didn't like them much. I have been around friends dogs and can see positives, I think they can be great companions and negatives. My son and girlfriend really love pugs, there's one in gf family, unfortunately a lot of health problems associated with that type of breed, I'm not expert, but I really wouldn't want to have an animal that has a whole gamut of health issues.

I get very angry when I read about children, often toddlers or babies, being savaged by dogs, one fatality is too many imo.

Ditto to Stella re quality of life.
We brought a cat back from the Middle East to the UK. She was semi feral, found by dds as a terribly emaciated kitten - in such a bad state the vet doubted she'd survive.
But she did, we nurtured her and many months later flew her back with us to the Uk, 6 months' quarantine, etc. - cost a bomb.
She came out of quarantine sleek and glossy - and lasted just 2 months.
Our house is set far back from a busy road, but she still managed to get herself run over.
Some time later, acquired 2 new kittens, same house well away from busy road.
One lasted just 6 months - again run over - the other made it to over 14.
But I certainly wouldn't have thought it better to keep the two who died, imprisoned indoors.

I think you may have peed off a lot of GN posters! There are some poorly behaved children in the world as there are poorly trained pets. Many of both are a delight!

Give me cats and dogs over todays bratty, tantrum-throwing, spoilt, ungrateful, spoon-fed, entitled Monster-Toddlers any day of the week!

Regarding cats being kept indoors. I agree with the previous poster who said if you live in an area where it would be dangerous to let a cat out, then don’t get a cat. The decision whether or not to have an animal should include taking into account their needs, as well as our wants (this, of course also applies to choosing a breed of dog. Unfortunately, most people seem to just pick one they like the look of). We have Siamese cats. I had them many years ago and when I met my husband (nearly 11-years-ago) we wanted to get two Siamese. However, our home, a Georgian Terraced, was on a busy road, so we decided against it until we moved to a quiet area with a garden. We waited 6-years. Sadly, one of our cats was knocked down and killed by a car on our quiet cul-de-sac. He was 15 months old. I mentioned it to our vet, who said better a short, happy, natural life, than a long, unatural life couped up inside. It is mostly young cats who get into trouble. After 2-years-old, they are pretty street wise. My Siamese have always gone out and, in the past, died in old age. Our lost boy’s sister is now is now 6-years-old. She has a reasonable size territory, misses nothing and, together with her ‘sister’ who is 9 (a rescue) enjoys climing trees etc.

As for licencing dogs etc, unfortunately, in my view, that would simply add to the cost of responsible owners, and not effect the irresponsible ones at all.

I met a beautiful puppy yesterday, next to me in a café. He was well behaved and being 'socialised' He was 13 weeks and absolutely huge already! I say this as all the irate dog owners on here seem to think I am anti-dog and are taking this too personally! In the same way I might say we should think of limiting cars per household to benefit us all etc etc.

Of course.
There is a market for silly dog jumpers, prams, carriers, speciality food, sparkly collars and so on.