How much is a pet's life worth?

[Texan]

A couple of things have happened in the past 24 hours to bring this sincere question to my mind.

About six months ago, my inlaws had an old dog with cancer. They paid for very expensive surgery for the dog, followed by chemo-therapy. The money was not an issue for them, they have plenty of money. Yesterday, the dog was runover and killed by a neighbor while asleep on a driveway.

Tonight on the local television news, there was a story about a cat that was stuck in a storm drain. To rescue the cat, the city utility department dug up a significant section of the street along with part of someone's yard. Although the news did not report it as such, I'm sure the costs of rescue and repair will be paid by taxpayers.

Just what is the life of a pet worth? Where do you draw the line between the value of a human life and the cost of saving an animal's life?

 

[WhiteRose]

How can you put a price on any living being that touches your heart? Does it really matter if it comes with four legs or two?

 

[Angel]

I'd run from one end of the earth to the other for my cat if I had to. It's really very simple.

The little fucker is my baby. He was given to me at a very rotten, shitty time in my life. He stays away from me when I want to be left alone, he comes and cuddles on my lap or in bed when I'm depressed and want to pet him. He listens to me bitch when I am angry and never contradicts me.

Sure he sharpens his claws on my favorite stuffed bear, and gets hair all over my clean clothes. But he's my cat damnit.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Texan, I think it depends on the quality of life the pet will have if it is "saved."

I love my dogs. Before I had kids, I thought I loved them as much as I could a child. Of course, when my heart was about ready to swell out of my chest for love of my first born child, I changed that opinion.

I think that rescuing the cat that was stuck in the storm drain was the only thing a civilized society could do. What's the alternative? To go to sleep at night thinking about that life scared and hungry, dying an awful slow and painful death?

As far as extreme medical procedures for pets, a lot of things need to be weighed. The age of the animal, the pain of the procedures, the costs and the probable outcome.

My dog now is 12. A golden retriever. She has some lumps that I'm not going to get checked out. If she has cancer, I don't want to know. At her age, I wouldn't put her through chemo.

Just one woman's opinion.

 

[Nogard]

White Rose, one of the best replys I have ever seen. Thank you I couldn't have come close to it

 

[seXieleXie]

i paid $450 for my cat's surgury. i would pay pretty much anything i could afford for her. she is my baby.

 

[horny_giraffe]

Well, theoretically speaking, I basically align myself with the social contract theory of ethics.

As such, an animal has very few rights because it has almost no moral responsibility and is not a moral agent. So as far as I am concerned, the welfare of the animal is purely subservient to human decision of it's guardian--even if that decision is to put it to sleep.

On the other hand, most people find it socially unacceptable to mistreat animals. So, because of my agreements with other people I have some moral obligation to treat an animal reasonably well. Given the wide range of attitudes, the law is perhaps the best indicator of consensus.

Speaking emotionally and from personal preference, I don't really care about the mistreatment of certain types of animals (I don't care about the suffering of fish and insects); but I have a soft spot for furry, cuddly-wuddly animals like kittens and puppies. I don't know if I would like to spend more than a thousand dollars to keep an animal alive, though.

The public rescue of that housepet is clearly beyond any basic moral obligation. I think the owner is morally responsible for the damages due to their cat's actions. However, I doubt the city in question will pursue these damages for publicity reasons.

 

[freakygirl]

Ok.. 2 years ago in March.. I fell in love with a pure breed Golden Retriever in the pet shop window. Knowing this wasn't exactly the "best" place to buy her.. I had to have her.. she was $500.. an impulse buy.. I knew she wasn't show quality.. but she had a face to die for.

So I brought this little bundle of joy home.. she became all our best friend.. especially my moms.. who is disabled and the love of Sara lifted her spirits alot.

When Sara was just a few months old, we had taken her to my aunts house. A new yard to wander in.. to sniff all the exciting new things.. and to eat them also.. Well in just a few short hours she was lathargic.. dehydrated.. dieing before my eyes..

We were in Olympia.. and I called the emergancy vet (our vet was 50 miles away.. and NOT open.. it being a saturday ofcourse)

We took her to the emergancy room.. and she was kept over night.. I had to go in on a Sunday morning and pick her up.. The bill was $1000..

Now my latest puppy was a rescue.. picked her up from some kid who said her dad was going to shoot the puppies if they weren't all taken within an hour (ok.. i'm a sucker.. )

She is a bassett/german shepard mix.. funniest damn dog in the world.. she has a rare bladder problem.. and is costing us about $100 a week in meds.. and another $100 monthly for lab tests..

I would do anything for my animals.. just as I would my kids.. my mother.. my husband and myself..

They are living breathing creatures... we chose to have them.. we should take care of them to the best of our abilities..

 

[WriterDom]

There is a point of diminishing returns. If a pet is old and has cancer you can't extend it's life very much. But, hey, they're old and it's their money.

I don't know about the rescued kitty. If it was loved, then yeah, it was worth it. And if it was a stray, and could bring joy to a family, then it was it worth it. But I'm a softy when it comes to cats.

 

[Texan]

I guess I have a little different view

My family has a cat and a dog as pets. They are pretty nice to have around, but I won't let them inside the house. (we have plenty of land for them to be comfortable and safe on) I also have horses and cattle. My wife and boys like to name the cows, but I refuse to even hear the names. To me, they are beef, and I don't want to "get to know" them.

I find nothing offensive about people who spend a lot of money on medical care for pets, provided they have the money to spend. I do however, find it unfair for anyone to expect the other people to pay for the care, and yes.... the rescue costs of their pets.

I draw a very dark line between the value of the life of a human and the value of the life of an animal. From time to time, people who have unwanted pets, apparently "put them out" of their cars on the roads near my house. (I guess they don't have the courage to destroy the animals themselves, so they put them out to starve.) On my road, there are a total of 14 houses. Everyone knows each other's pets. When a stray shows up, everyone knows something must be done. I am usually the person who is called by the neighbors to come and destroy the "unwanted" animal. I don't like doing it, but I sleep well at night.

My wife tells me that I'm just not an "animal person". But I think I'm just a realist.

comments???

 

[Cheyenne]

Re: I guess I have a little different view

My family has a cat and a dog as pets. They are pretty nice to have around, but I won't let them inside the house. (we have plenty of land for them to be comfortable and safe on)

My wife tells me that I'm just not an "animal person". But I think I'm just a realist.

comments???

You won't let your cat and dogs inside the house and you have to ask us if your wife is correct or not?

You're not an "animal person," Texan. Animal people have their pets live with them, not around them.

 

[Texan]

Re: Re: I guess I have a little different view

You won't let your cat and dogs inside the house and you have to ask us if your wife is correct or not?

You're not an "animal person," Texan. Animal people have their pets live with them, not around them.

Hey cheyenne..... I don't claim to be an animal person....

The way I look at it.... If I want to live with animals... I'll go sleep in the barn..... If I let animals sleep in my house, I'll start calling it a barn...... (only slightly TIC)

 

[patient1]

I can't put it in financial terms, but...

My Blue Heeler is my most prized possesion, but I think of her as my assistant.

I won't re-tell the story, but I'm convinced I'd be in a wheelchair if not for her. She'd give her life to save me.

I've made my recent career & housing choices(where & whom I live with) based on her.

I doubt if I'd prolong her life if she had cancer, but If she were trapped in a storm drain I'd be willing to:

*Get a rope & a light & go in after her.

*Spend my vacation digging her out by hand, & take unpaid leave if that wasn't enough.

*Sell my computer, my appliances, & all the firearms in my closset to recover her before she died alone. (my car isn't worth much).


Whatever it took. If I lost her in that situation, & I didn't give it every effort, I wouldn't just lose my dog or my assistant, I'd lose my self- respect. I don't want to put a price on that.

 

[Dillinger]

My "pets" have always been a part of my family. The dog I had as a child... the cats I have today. WhiteRose said it very nicely: "How can you put a price on any living being that touches your heart?"

We have paid for some expensive surgery not that long ago as well. There really wasn't a decision to make - how could we not? How could I have lived with myself if I had the means to do so and yet chose not to?

 

[Desdemona]

I would pay or do whatever it takes...

I only want them to be healthy and happy. I will not, however, extend suffering for them if/when they become terminally ill. That said, my decision making would not differ from the decisions I would make for a human I love.

I couldn't live with myself if I behaved any other way.

 

[teresafannin]

I would pay whatever it cost for my cat, luckily she is quite healthy for a nearly 16 year old. She is totally an inside cat, my son adored her & she is a link to him. If she were to become very ill, I would go on the recommendation of the vet. She and my son grew up together & I owe it to my son to take good care of her.

 

[Starfish]

Where do you draw the line between the value of a human life and the cost of saving an animal's life?

Placing value on any life goes against my religion. I will not do it. Therefore, I would never object my tax dollar going to community provided animal rescue, as my belief also applies to human rescue. I expect that if it is living, and in need, that the rescue workers or good people of my community will fill that need, when it is needed, under what ever cost.

The community I live in is quite in concurrence with that general philosophy. We have one of the nations best community response for maintaining animal well being, and safety. This includes several shelters, many in home adoption programs, vet programs that are great, community fund raising, plus the Humane society that polices all of the shelters and what not, to make sure they follow the laws, and codes that apply which are very well formed and specific. The Humane society here aids people in solving animal related cost problems, by throwing annual fund raising activities such as our annual “Fur Ball” and some other events.

The morality issue is pretty significant where all life is concerned, in my mind, but when it comes to domesticated animals, then I feel it is dead set that if we don’t care for them, then we are irresponsible as a species. The idea that domestic animals are a human problem is a fact, not an opinion. We created them. We are fully responsible for them, and they depend on us, because we made them dependant on us. We must do right by them, to make things right. If we do not, then we will pay in the end anyway. Money is irrelevant, no matter how you look at it. If people oppose paying for that service to the animal community we created, then they are just selfish, and in my eyes, unworthy of the privileges of the lives of plenty and goodness, that we have created for ourselves and our 'pets'.


I even believe that we are responsible for paying for any efforts needed to rescue wild animals in all areas in which we, as humans, have created problems for the wildlife, and that being the cause of their suffering, and becoming hurt or in need.

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Another tender topic

Most of my life was spent in the company of pets (through the years: two birds; one cat; four dogs). In a household of six other people, they in their turn became members of the family.

When my family started moving out West (or dying off!), I inherited our family shepherd mix. It was a big adjustment for her, but after two weeks of heartbreaking crying, she adjusted quite well to riding elevators and marching around her new neighborhood.

The last few years have been traumatic for me: losing my job of 30 years; gall bladder surgery; bouts of depression and lonliness. Through it all my darling friend stuck with me, comforting me if I started to cry, encouraging me to get myself out and about, and even nudging me to bed when I stayed awake too long!

I think pets are the true example of unconditional love. She never stopped watching out for me, and after she was diagnosed with cancer, I made the decision to have the vet come to the apartment and euthenize her before her condition became too painful. It was the most unselfish thing I had ever done in my life, but it was actually wonderful sensing her release from her decaying body.

I think of her a lot, still miss her terribly, but I have no guilt. I realize she took care of me more than I did for her, and I believe we'll meet up again when it's my time.

I'm not sure how you can place a value on that kind of love.

 

[Weird Harold]

Just one question: "Your pet or mine?"

 

[JennyOmanHill]

Double post interruptus.

 

[dqrich]

Re: Re: How much is a pet's life worth?

Just one question: "Your pet or mine?"

Thank You,...
I've loved my pets as much as the next...they are family.
To expect a next-door neighbor(innocent bystander, anyone who happens that way) to pay for ANYTHING with regards to an unfortunate accident is EXTREMELY selfish....2 cents.

 

[Starfish]

Re: Re: Re: How much is a pet's life worth?

Thank You,...
I've loved my pets as much as the next...they are family.
To expect a next-door neighbor(innocent bystander, anyone who happens that way) to pay for ANYTHING with regards to an unfortunate accident is EXTREMELY selfish....2 cents.

Oh, and I expect you think it is unselfish to stand there and do nothing for an animal befallen to an accident?

I think that if we are talking about a "pet", that the rightful owner would make good of anything that a neighbor did for an animal that caused them finacial loss. That is only right.

In all other cases, it is the entire community's problem, because in the human development of human communites, we've posed many dangers to the lives of innocent animals that we've created, and keep as pets, with dangers that far exceed that of a natural environment, aside from that of disease.

 

[dqrich]

Re: Re: Re: Re: How much is a pet's life worth?

Oh, and I expect you think it is unselfish to stand there and do nothing for an animal befallen to an accident?

I think that if we are talking about a "pet", that the rightful owner would make good of anything that a neighbor did for an animal that caused them finacial loss. That is only right.

In all other cases, it is the entire community's problem, because in the human development of human communites, we've posed many dangers to the lives of innocent animals that we've created, and keep as pets, with dangers that far exceed that of a natural environment, aside from that of disease.

Let me guess.. not in a large American city?
Don't try to plaster this attitude of the "uncaring" on me when it is something that I simply witness!

 

[LadyDarkFire]

This is an interesting question, and one I've personally come to encounter. If I can prolong the quality and quantity of an animal's life, I will pay the money, even if I have to go without myself. I love my animals, and try to take the best care of them I can. I will gladly wash the scent of saurkraut off of my 30 pound kitten every single day, at 2 am in the morning, if neccissary. I payed halfsies with my parents to keep the tests open to find out what was wrong with our old rescue case dog. Turned out he has Cushings Disease, and we now medicate him weekly. The kitten who I ended up having to wash last night has one eye due to membranes over his right eye not seperating correctly when he was young. This results in his eye not draining properly, and he is prone to sneezing fits. I gladly clean the eye as often as needed, and I take care of him through the sneezing fits. My pets have seen me through rough times, and I love them dearly, but beyond that, I enjoy the company of animals. In August of 2000, I was on my way back from a bookstore (local hangout) with two friends in my car. At a stoplight, we found a cat who had obviously been hit by a car in the turn lane. I did what came naturally to me, meaning I slammed on the parking brake and emergency lights, had one of the friends stop cars from entering the turn lane, and managed to pick up the cat in my leather jacket. I didn't have to think about blood on the lining of the jacket, or the scratches that might occur to the leather (both of which happened), an animal was in pain and danger, and I wasn't going to drive away from that. We took the animal home, found out that the cat was female, had some obvious head injury, a fractured jaw, and a hurt hip. I took her down to the emergency vet (it was midnight, and my vet DEFINATELY does not stay up that late), where my parents foot the bill (I later repaid them) for her jaw to be wired, and all the other treatment she needed. The cat stayed with us for 6 weeks, and we had all basically given up hope of posters, informing local agencies, and checking the ads in the paper working. Then, in mid September, I recieved a call from an obviously crying, distraught woman. "Do you still have my cat?" was the first thing out of her mouth. Turns out this woman has had this cat since before her kids were born, and her husband married half interest in this feline. She was so relieved to find that the cat was safe, she not only repaid the bill (450 dollars) but added in an extra 50. I still don't think that 50 was needed, but it didn't stop there. About two weeks later, an article she had written appeared in a local paper, and it included a picture of the cat, her, and myself. She loved that animal, and I was happy to see them reunited. So, I don't place a value on animal life. I stop and pick up strays, hit by cars, and I volenteer with a local group for animals. I take hard to place cases, and I think I get the better end of the bargain, because the cats and dogs are wonderful, sweet, and joys to have around. One Little Thing: While animals are a Joy to have in your life, there are too many of them already, and as a result, many of them are put to death because of shelter policies. Please, Spay and Neuter all of your animals, it's important, not costly, and can prevent alot of problems.

 

[Starfish]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How much is a pet's life worth?

Let me guess.. not in a large American city?
Don't try to plaster this attitude of the "uncaring" on me when it is something that I simply witness!

Excuse me, but I think you take me for some assuming dumb ass.
I was pointing out the erroneous nature of your comment.


I am from a large city. What the fuck of it?