Is pet ownership cruel?

I don't plan to own any pets, primarily because pet ownership makes no sense, and secondly, because I would be worried sick about a pet while I was away at work. It's difficult enough to take care of a relative's pet while the owner is away for an extended trip. The animal would be constantly on my mind. It would negatively impact my productivity at work.

Where is the cruelty? Containing wild animals, or setting free animals that don't know how to fend for themselves? How about breeding the animals in the first place? I occasionally watch Animal Planet, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are always rescuing abused and neglected pets and stray feral pets.

I think we can ill afford to own pets, and especially those of us who can barely manage our own lives, let alone take care of our own children. Luckily, I have no children, but time and time again I hear stories of families who don't realize the expenses they incur for having a pet, and they can barely keep their kids in shoes.

Every month I imagine the Humane Society, ASPCA, and municipal animal control units around the country have no alternative but to euthanize many abandoned animals.

The solution is to break the financial incentives of breeding and selling pets from "Puppy Mills" by adopting a pet from an animal shelter and having your pet spayed or neutered.

As much as 25% of all dogs entering a shelter are pure breeds. Pure bred dogs often come with genetic defects that can cost the owner tens of thousands of dollars or more, over the life of the pet.

Ultimately, animals should be able to fend for themselves if they don't serve a useful purpose. 61% of dogs, 75% of cats entering shelters are euthanized.

See Surprising PET STATISTICS