Is keeping pets Cruel ?

What gives us the right to breed animals (worse still in some cases capture) to be kept as pets?

These are living beings, not toys!

It has become accepted, but is keeping pets purely for our pleasure not immoral on the highest order??

Obviously you haven't got cats. Apparently I work for their benefit...

I'm guessing our dog wants to be kept as a pet otherwise he'd run away when we let him off the lead!

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

I'm guessing our dog wants to be kept as a pet otherwise he'd run away when we let him off the lead!

That is because it is all it has ever known. Sure a pet can be perfectly happy and as far as we can tell live a sweat life, and MOST (unfortunately not all ) owners give great love to and care for their pets.

But the debate is to question if it morally 'right' to breed/keep a living being as a toy?

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

That is because it is all it has ever known....But the debate is to question if it morally 'right' to breed/keep a living being as a toy?

Actually he has known freedom. He was picked off the street and taken to the local Cat & Dog home. By the look of him, he wasn't doing too well out on his own. Domesticated see?

And a pet is not a toy, as you well know you naughty devil's advocate

but what about all the ones kept in cages?

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

And a pet is not a toy, as you well know you naughty devil's advocate

Ever read the dictionary definition of 'dog'?? .. a small dog can be referred to as a toy

Anyway, I'd say a dog aligns with many of the other definitions of TOY, not just that one ... e.g. you play with it

But the use of the word 'toy' aside, you must see what I am getting at ... we are keeping a living being for OUR amusement ... you must be able to see the moral implications of that I am trying to highlight?!!?

[Balky001]

it depends if you think a domesticated lifestyle is cruel (are we just talking animals here ). Living wild has its downsides. There's arguements for and against but as an ideology I think if you look after pets well then there are benefits for both, so not cruel.

I see where you are coming fro though as its a condition of their natural instincts to live alongside man under his conditions but man breeds now couldn't survive so for those there may be no option.

Seeing dolphins perform tricks and live in small aquariums and have shorter lifespans is sad but keeping domesticated pets is another arguement.

[TEC]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

... we are keeping a living being for OUR amusement ...

You're ignoring the question

Originally Posted by simesb

Obviously you haven't got cats. Apparently I work for their benefit...

Come down the farm and be educated.....