If You're Poor Don't Own Animals

[@thatonebab7351]

I've never met a homeless person with an unfed, unhealthy, unhappy dog. But I've met plenty of housed people who underfeed, overfeed, traumatize, and or neglect their animals. Housed people have way more issues with keeping their animals trained, and shrug when their untrained, aggressive dog runs into traffic and dies in a collision because they'll just get a new one. Homeless people keep their animals fed before themselves, and their pets are just as much family as they are protection. They are also extremely well-trained, and more likely to know to behave themselves off-leash than 99% of most other dogs I see. I'm a pet store worker, just to give an idea of the sample size I'm working with. I can see dozens of dogs on a busy day. Four to five days a week, repeat for 2.5 years now. There are definitely problem people I wish just would stop and get help, but many learn the hard way. Every step of the way I'm telling people that we do take live returns and I would rather see them live with a problem we can fix, than dead. Plus info on what shelters and organizations would accept an animal, especially exotics like small rodents, birds, and lizards.

[@Cosmotwice]

If you cant afford the basic necessities for yourself, don't get something else to take care of. I can understand someone wanting an animal to keep them company, but good GOD, DONT PUT AN ANIMAL THROUGH THAT 😭

[@roxyamused]

I agree on some points. When I adopted my dog from the shelter 6 years ago, I had a decent amount of money. Now I'm poor, he is disabled and 12, and it's not like I'm going to give him up. It would probably kill him. People that have watched him for me say he is a really stand off-ish guy and won't really eat without me. His first family gave him up when he was nearly 6, and he's a designer mutt that was separated from his mother too early. I probably wouldn't call where I live "squalor", it's a 20yo HUD housing. Rent has been very dicey lately ngl, but there's a decent community pantry for pet owners, I'm actually pretty good at thieving (knock on an antique headboard). People won't always have ideal environments for their animals, but it does not mean someone does not put their friend first. Personally, I can't really cosign a classicist argument, nor I do not condone abuse or neglect. I think it's wild if someone thinks taking unhoused people's pets away is anything but cruel to both the person and the animal. Unless the animal abused or mistreated but they are cared for and are seemingly happy, what place do we have to judge? There's a lot of nuance of diversity of people that are poor and we're going to have pets. Also, neuter and spaying basically makes the street animal population down and we'd probably have way more poors having animals friends if their neighborhood's cats and dogs are having orgies nightly and litters of kittens in dumpsters or mailboxes everywhere...

[@p.s.shnabel3409]

"Also, neuter and spaying basically makes the street animal population down" Absolutely agreed! Please, if you can't afford to ... reach out to your local shelters etc. there are often free (or affordable) options. Or ask your local vet, you never know. Don't allow your animals to breed. Not even if you have people willing to take the young ones off your hand. People who want an animal should adopt from a shelter, end of story.

[@chelmastly5802]

Sorry brother I'm commenting at the 0:06 mark out of passion but it's cool bc I think I'm reading the room right. If you get an animal knowing full well that, being in your care, they'll not have access to basic necessities, you're being abusive. It's not up for debate on whether that's an opinion or fact when the definition of the word is _knowingly_ inflicting harm, whether you mean/want to or not, and the situation is a person who knows they can't afford a pet but gets one anyway. "But a bunch of people do it, you can't say every poor pet owner is-" yes I can. These animal have no way to verbalize their own opinions and can't even leave these living situations like humans can, for God's sake. You either have the money for a pet or you don't. You either are a good pet owner or a bad one. And this isn't villainization--I used to be a really bad pet owner as a preteen sheerly out ignorance of what my pets needed to thrive and not having a way to buy things for them myself, but I made the effort to get their needs met when I recognized an issue and changed that. They're thriving now. So if you aren't doing good now, just make some effort. And for those extra shitty, my-pet-is-an-inanimate-property kind of people: *vet visits, fees for neutering or spaying, fees for vaccinations, fees for microchipping/tagging/IDing your pet, using parasite preventatives, keeping your pet confined to your own property, and doing anything else to ensure the reasonable survival of the animal count as much for bare necessities as food and water* so get your wallets out if you're still wanting a pet, or don't fucking get one! It's so shrimple. Edit: glad I did read the room right! To add on though, look I have my pets for mental health reasons (in honesty I have quite a lot--eight lizards, four snakes, fish, tarantulas, and a cat) and can say with full confidence they've kept me alive. But... I'm not a psychologist, but you know what I think is gonna make your mental health worse? Your, uh, dog starving to death because you inadvertently starved it. There's no shame in giving up pets bro just give em up

[@FemboyKaiSaku]

Homeless people with dogs, you often actually see the dogs look quite healthy. I think thats fine. If theyre not healthy tho then thats a no no

[@opheliamunroe1110]

@@FemboyKaiSaku Typically when you see homeless people with dogs the dog is also voluntarily staying with them. And I actually haven't met a single homeless person with a dog that didn't always ensure that their dog was fed. You can even find fundraisers for when their dogs are injured or sick and they get them care because they are legitimately family to them. Dogs can also scavenge for themselves and eat things people can't so finding them food is a lot easier than other animals. Like cats are obligate carnivores and require a lot of meat and fatty fish to survive. Tuna doesn't cut it so most people leave their cats with other people or give them up for adoption. Cats typically only stay if shelter, warmth and safety are involved and most strays will find someone with more means.

[@ThyFloorestFloor]

I don't really see that as an inherent issue, because in a lot of cases when someone goes homeless, their pets are either the ones they had before they became homeless and could not give to anyone, and other times they are strays that they find and bond with because they camp around the same areas. If it weren't for them, a lot of those animals would be out alone in the streets, or taken to shelters where maybe they'd get a chance to get a family, but it is not likely for many. From my experience working with unhoused people, the ones I've met with pets are usually the only ones who can take care of them. To a lot of them reaching out to relatives or friends is not an option and giving them out to shelters is complicated since there's not really an option for a no-kill shelter in the local area, so giving them up is a death sentence where they cannot guarantee their pet will be taken care of and adopted. For a lot of them, it is not that easy because they would give them up if there was a guarantee, one of my coworkers adopted this lady's cat when she realized she would not be able to care for it anymore, however, there's other cases where we tried to help, but couldn't really find homes for their pets. Barely any of us can do so, and the people that come usually only take the small or young ones, rarely do the larger or older peeps get a choice. Instead of demonizing them and condemning them for their behavior, it'd be wise to first understand their situation. To many, their pets are the only form of connection they have, and they would do anything for them, even going hungry themselves, they help and need each other, it is one of the only sources of joy for many, and if they were to get separated, the pet is more likely to end up back in the streets, this time alone, or in a underfunded shelter where if they don't win the popularity contest they'd just be put out.

[@UndeniableFate]

the switch from femboys and tomboys to poor people and pets is crazy

[@ConstantlyMovingOne]

This channel has the perfect variety

[@makmfdrizzle]

As someone who works at a vet clinic, and one that is reasonably priced at that, please….please listen to this man. Do you know how heartbreaking it is for us to talk to owners on the phone and in rooms about their pets health when it’s already too late? I’m talking bumps they’ve had forever that is cancer, pyometra in unspayed females which is a death sentence if you can’t afford the emergency surgery, chronic diseases that have taken over an older dogs entire lively hood, dental disease so bad that a pet can’t eat and needs an expensive dental/all teeth pulled….and these owners have no choice but to put a dog down because of how bad these cases can get…they can barely afford the cost of euthanasia. They cannot afford to have their pets cremated because of the cost even though they desperately want them back. And in some cases, they don’t bring them in and let them suffer/die at home because they need to put themselves and their families first…understandably so but…as someone who’s worked with animals for a decade, they deserve good care. If you cannot afford even minimal care, not even to treat an ear infection or skin condition please let someone who can afford those things take them in. Volunteer at shelters if you have the time and what to be around animals. If your friends can afford animals, go over and see them and their pets. Love them from afar. Bring them a little bag of treats if you can, play ball with their dogs, with laser pointers with their cats. Lots of owners, including myself, lack on enrichment with animals due to busy schedules and that friend will appreciate you going out of your way to give it to their animals. You can still love them even if they’re not in your home 💖

[@BEX5397]

Its just sick when people choose to neglect something when it's within their capacity to give something up to someone who can take care of it. It's the responsibile thing. Some people are so stuck in their ways they don't want to admit they're wrong or hurting someone. It's sick

[@Edog-g1w]

My vet tech friend once told me that we can't judge people for not being able to afford vet visits or the best pet food because there are so many animals that need to be adopted and it's better than being in the shelter. Obviously this means they are not being neglected but maybe just can't get the best food or vet appointments for sickness. I felt like my mind was really opened by this.

[@p.s.shnabel3409]

Sometimes, the truest form of love is to abstain. Can't afford children/don't have a loving partner? Abstain. Don't have stability, financial and mental, and feel desperate for a pet? Abstain. Also: You're in a partnership and you *know* you're having a bad day. Abstain from taking it out on your loved ones. Instead: substitute. Children: go into a profession or volunteer where you can impact young lives. Unless you're a creep, then obviously stay away. Pets: see above. Most shelters are happy for any volunteers to help with the work. Partner: open up. Don't spread misery, share your thoughts instead. And if your partner brushes you off, all the time, maybe that's the reason you're miserable and you need to work on that. And while we're at it: be humane. To love does not mean to get what *you* want. It means to give what they need. (BTW how do I know these things? Because I'm an idiot and had to learn the hard way. Still getting it wrong at times.)

[@PaulTheadra]

as a nurse that does homeless outreach, these people have animals from the streets, life before shit went bad, or other incapable people. We have issues with people having human children without the means, None of this makes any sense. Being poor and uneducated makes peeps do uncalculated things. I blame the lack of education and safety nets that stop people from sliding far back in the first place. #UBI

[@Justhereforthefreebar]

Nah, man. I understand your point in theory, but it's more nuanced than that. Many homeless people keep dogs because a dog can keep you safe, and shared body heat can save your life when it's cold, and trust me - dogs do not go hungry on the street. The public has more empathy for homeless animals than they do for homeless people; they will always be given food. I've never met a hungry street dog with an owner, ever. Plus, I dunno about the US, but in the UK vet bills are 100% free for low or no incomes. Also, I recommend reading A Street Cat Named Bob, written by an ex homeless dude. It's worth the time. On a different note, 'TV diseases, like chicken pox'... Ded 💀😄

[@p.s.shnabel3409]

"Plus, I dunno about the US, but in the UK vet bills are 100% free for low or no incomes." That will entirely depend on the vet in question. I think the biggest problem is that people are ashamed to ask/be open about their financial situation. Some vets, though, and I know that from personal experience, are just greedy see you next Tuesday's. Refuse to work with shelters, donate time or lower their prices. Eff them. Not sorry for the language. I feel strongly about this.

[@rjorourke]

Cue the cat at the perfect time.

[@p.s.shnabel3409]

The secretive little run had me laughing. Kitty's got places to be!

[@JaniceRaelSaid]

No one wants my cats, my daughter, or me.

[@voidflameark3889]

Having a daughter and cats sound like a nice life.

[@elijahjohnson2055]

​@@voidflameark3889 that's entirely case dependant.

[@GoldenAfternoonsInHell]

Getting a pet that you cannot take care of is disgusting. Pets are expensive little lives, and because you brought them into your home, they are entirely reliant on YOU for food, water, and shelter. Even if youre homeless, you better be willing to give up every cent on that pet if you refuse to give them up to a shelter. Especially during the summer, i hate seeing homeless people with pets out on the streets with no water and probably burnt paws because the sidewalk is hot enough to cook an egg. I'm an animal lover up and down with 3 cats and a dog, and while the concept of having to leave them behind is devastating, its better than watching them suffer.

[@I_am_that_one_guy]

How does it make you feel knowing that you can do a better job than 98% of politicians on the globe.

[@clementinetea2078]

I have consistent empathy for people on the streets with animals, I have personally known people like that to actively prioritize their animals at every turn, I have absolutely none of that for full time employed people in single person households with high demand animals. The amount of university students I've known who've wanted to keep a dog in a tiny apartment that they're on a short term lease with, planning to move out in a year or two, with little disposable income and still wanting to engage in nightclubbing and regular holidays is ridiculous. Its always medium to large working breeds they want as well, huskies, labradors, sheepdogs, and whatever inbred designer doodle mix is popular at the moment. Its an idealized lifestyle, not actual husbandry. As someone raised literally with and by dogs, the minute i was born i was in a moses basket on the floor with the dogs watching over me, I would never own even a small breed on my own. I could not consistently fulfill the need of a complex animal on my own, and even if i could, what happens when I'm sick? If i want to go on holiday? If someone dies? If I'm evicted? They're dependents you can be charged and tried for neglecting. Most people like that want something with the base needs of a tarantula, but they cant conceive of something that they cant hold or project emotion onto loving them, It may not be a truly reciprocal love, on a physiological level, most insects, or brine shrimp, or even moss balls, or mushrooms, do not have the capability for that, but what we keep feels love through what they are provided to grow and live and thrive, simply so we may observe life unlike our own.

[@jasonhernandez2776]

I agree with the premise, but I’m not bout to start policing grey behavior from the homeless when we have a homelessness problem. Who should I be more upset at, those who make bad decisions in bad situations, or the larger systems at play that perpetuate the problem. So long as we neglect the poor the poor will do stupid shit. So long as healthcare is shitty somebody will want to gun down a CEO and everyone will clap for murder. Bringing ethics into a conversation where life and death is at stakes falls on deaf ears to those in the hyperbolic crossfire. No homeless people are going to watch this video dude. And the ones that do aren’t about to let go of the only thing that makes them feel human anymore. I ain’t trying to lecture you cause I know you been through a lot of this same shit I’m talking about. But my point is this: when people are in a fucked situation, ethics takes a backseat to decision making. This is as natural an occurrence as heat radiating off an oven bro. You gon get mad it’s hot or you gon turn the stove off?

[@chillero3heftig712]

dont own animals in general. why tf do you make your urge to have access to animals their problem. people always will claim they love animals and then support them getting bred for entertainment of humans, pull some away from access to their own species (most are not in a group with other dogs or cats) and decide over which of them gets to reproduce like what yall dont love animals, yall love their attention and them to be what you want to be.

[@NecroBeasty]

So going almost a decade back a friend of mine was going to lose her housing, and the option was either government housing with no pets or on the streets. She had a service dog, big ol st Bernard. You know what she did? She found a place to look after her service dog until she could get back on her feet. 3 months later she was in a house with a fenced yard and she got her dog back. There are always options.

[@ains2904]

i had a room mate who had two kids and needed her mom to pay half her rent and car note every month. she got a dog because she saw 3 lost dogs walk through the neighborhood and took it as a sign from god to get one herself. place we were staying didnt even allow dogs.

[@LoganIsTired]

I don't know how people think "I can't afford food for myself, why don't I get an animal that I also have to feed?" like how stupid does someone have to be to actually think that's a good idea?

[@Cameron-g9t]

I understand if it is like for Medical/service animal reasons or something. But yes I completely agree

[@chelmastly5802]

okay you know what that's a fair enough caveat. actually now that I think of it, since service animals are legally considered medical equipment as well as household animals, I wonder if they're eligible for some kind of food stamp...?

[@shadowxthevampiressofficial]

A friend of mine is going through that. She has cats. She has been running out of money because of high rent & other things she needs to pay for. Luckily she quit smoking for the sake of her transition.

[@lyomon9981]

I know a lot of homeless people that treat their dogs really well . And rich people treat pets like sht

[@opheliamunroe1110]

Like frfr I have cat food in my apartment that I was trying to send to a friend of mine because they couldn't afford to feed their cats. But I couldn't make it to the post office and now I just....have cat food. Got overwhelmed with my exgf after she told me her cat had kittens again and several of them passed due to a lack of medical care and lack of food and when I suggested they get the mother fixed...she said they wanted her to have a male calico because they are rare. I mean there was other stuff going on with her but that was my limit. I could not handle it.

[@I_am_that_one_guy]

Pretty much anywhere that wolves have ever lived they have formed a coal bond with humans, Because ready food was available from us hunting. That's why humans like dogs.

[@radfoxuk8113]

Extra body heat in the cold, protection from other people and animals, especially protection while asleep, companionship. Lastly, emergency rations, if things get especially bad.

[@CerosTelevision]

BARS!

[@the_lumer]

6 and a half minutes in, and I wholeheartedly agree. If you cannot provide even the bare minimum for something, you shouldn't bring that something into your life. That's another sentient soul you're forcing to suffer with you. Humanity has become so entitled man..

[@rances4418]

I work with animals in a shelter and for the most part i agree with you. Except for the “indentured servitude part” I believe if you’re ever lose the ability to take care of animals look for humane society or any places that take care of the animal. No need to be ashamed things happen and it’s better for animal to be taking care of

[@opheliamunroe1110]

Nope. I'm actually NOT about to write something crazy. Because I fully agree. I don't agree with separating the homeless from their pets but like...do not go get a whole ahh living creature that RELIES ON YOU TO SURVIVE when you are barely surviving yourself. I am so glad I didn't break down and get a cat because I'm lonely because I'm already homeless again and I would be DISTRAUGHT to have to give it up or yake it with me. I'm building myself a mobile shelter this time around but the concept of expecting an animal to live like that with me made me depression worse. With that being said I totally understand people who refuse to give their pets up when they lose everything. Homeless veterans regularly had dogs in the areas I grew up and they straight up begged just for the dog to be able to feed them and get them medical care. And a lot of that is because they were their emotional support animals and likely wouldn't survive without them. Some homeless animals are literally folks service animals, though that is fairly rare. I've had this argument countless times with people that can't actually afford a pet - even if they have a provate living space - but still get them because they....wanted them? Look. If I'm rolling my little shelter around and stray cats follow me around to get out if the weather I'm not about to swerve them but you won't catch me at the humane society trying to pick up a fur baby like my life hasn't entirely fallen tf apart. Why would I want anyone to exist like this with me? I don't even DATE because a mf is too broke?? PRIORITIES PEOPLE.

[@JaniceRaelSaid]

This video won't get the Traction AI

[@missmeowmix7960]

I don’t necessarily agree with this but I also don’t necessarily disagree. I’ve seen both sides of poverty with animals. One side where the animal is the priority and the animal leads the person to make better decisions. I’ve also seen what poverty does to a person and what it does to an animal and it’s very sad. I don’t really think there’s a right answer. I think having a pet makes life better and people want to do right by them, even if they don’t always choose the right way.

[@51dropfromhell]

did youn ever stop to think that maybe the dogs were strays and the homeless are the only ones that unconditionally take care of those dogs? If you took the time to ask them how the they got the dog 7 times out of 10 the dog was on the street from the start. 10 times out of 10 the dog was abandoned by a housed person. Instead of lecturing on youtube why are you not helping them this holiday season? Its easy to complain about the struggles of otherd from the comfort of your warm room judging people. Regular people like you overlook the homeless and then want them to have nothing on top of your judgment.

[@lightfallonthehead3842]

i mean i agree, if youre so poor you are barely getting by then dont get a dog, but did that statement need to be made, i feel like most destitute people arenot rushing to get a dog

[@tobydandelion]

Nope, human suffering is worse than animal suffering, and if animal suffering is needed to reduce human suffering, it is just as necessary as animal testing and meat production. If you really think human life is worth less than animal life, you were not loved enough as a child and I feel very bad for you. I hope you all can heal eventually.

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

But that's not the debate here. It's life or death for an animal and simply happiness or unhappiness for the human. I agree a human life wins out over an animal's but an animal's well-being matters more than the upset feelings of a human.

[@disappointedbun5764]

while i agree that you should not get pets when youre homeless, and i usually like your videos, you lost me at 1:12. Do some research before spouting off nonsense. Animals are neutered for a plethora of reasons, including keeping down high chances for cancer and other illnesses, keeping stay populations down, keeping down accidental litters that add to the overpopulation of those animals and pets, etc . Dude come on. If you want what's good for animals, not having cancer, and not being born to the cruel streets where they'll suffer their lives away and die messed up unnatural deaths should also be on your radar. I ain't watching this one, I'll wait for you to talk on stuff you actually know anything about.

[@makmfdrizzle]

I totally glazed over that part of the video. 100% agree with this statement. Always, always, always spay and neuter your pets. Not only will it lower the chances of cancer and pyometra (infection of the uterus), it will help to keep the animal population low. There are so many animals in shelters in need of love. Your dogs and cats having kittens and giving them away for free doesn’t help that situation. (Fun fact, dogs go into heat twice a year. Cats go into heat about 2-4 times per mating season. That’s a lot of babies if they continually get pregnant!) Chances are the people taking those puppies and kittens won’t fix them so the cycle will continue. Remember what Bob Bakers said. Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered. (But also to extend your pets life!)

[@Steelo_EXE]

I take a couple days of KZbin and see bro has locs, gotta support even more now😂💪🏾

[@CerosTelevision]

No locs these are twists

[@vibzins]

I remember you mentioned this in another video saying you didn't want to worry about the wrong roof 😂

[@JindexTheVillain]

put on your own oxygen mask first, then you help other

[@EggSandwich-pv9qd]

But what if the dog hunts food for you

[@Dahoat-r6b]

00:03 wait they don't love me like I love u

[@Drew-m3m]

I totally agree

[@breasol976]

Nah, dude dogs are being put down en masse at shelters. Even if they aren't put down they are locked in cages with little interaction. As long as someone isn't abusing the animal, and the animal isn't starving, it's all good. In fact, a homeless dude who spends 24/7 with their dog, probably has a happier animal than the tech bro working 60 hours a week making bank. Shitty ass take if you ask me. A dangerous message to be spreading if I'm being completely honest.

[@oatmeal710]

you should be more upset by the rulers and companies causing people to have to live out on the streets than the outcomes of the scenario

[@7HEMUFFINMAN]

Unrelated but... did you get a haircut?

[@CerosTelevision]

No

[@7HEMUFFINMAN]

@CerosTelevision alright

[@Danbecker000]

Yup. 100%

[@eothamec2427]

Yeah

[@Etanbeetan]

I not homeless and i neglect my dogs 🗿🗿