Be a Responsible Pet Owner or Don't Bother

It's no secret I love animals.  I'm certainly not alone!  I wish people understood loving an animal  is not enough.  Honestly, I feel that way about all relationships.  Loving someone or something is not enough.  You can love, but if you aren't taking care, tending to needs, putting the effort in, addressing concerns, making them a priority when appropriate, then it simply is not enough.  Love is a fundamental requirement, sure.  However, there's a lot more that goes into maintaining a successful and rewarding relationship.  Anything less is cruel.  We can't say we love our pets and think it's ok to neglect them.  Before adopting a pet, we need to consider the expenses.  Can we and will we get proper vet care?  Can and will we be able to interact with them every day?  Can and will we give them basic care (food, shelter, water) regularly?  Can and will we make them a financial priority when appropriate?  I'm not sure at what point a person decides to adopt a pet then thinks they don't have to actually care for and feed it.  No it's not a wild animal that should and could fend for itself.  Or the people who adopt a pet only to decide they're inconvenient, so they ignore it or dump it somewhere.  There's a responsibility we WILLINGLY take on by adopting.  If someone is not willing and not able to pay for vet care (especially the occasional emergency care), then why do they adopt in the first place?!  Love is NOT enough.  You have to have the means and willingness to CARE for them.   It baffles me.  Truly.

---