(08-16-2012, 11:21 PM)pugskjj Wrote: If you don't want to make a committment of at least 10 years then they have no business getting a pet
People's circumstances do change, though. Somebody may have been perfectly capable to make that long term commitment when s/he adopted the pet, but perhaps the person unexpectedly lost his or her job and couldn't afford the vet bills anymore. Maybe s/he developed cancer and couldn't give the pet the proper care (or the person's doctor insisted s/he give up the pet).
Granted, if it were me, I'd do everything in my power to make sure I could keep my fur and feather babies with me. In fact, when I did unexpectedly lose my previous job last year, having the money to care for my pets was my first concern. I don't have kids, though, so it was easier for me than for someone with a big family.
Even though many people have ridiculous reasons for giving up pets, I'd much rather see the pet given up than end up neglected, as ohiotom said.
