If someone abandons their pet, does it change your judgement of character?

[19magic]

Like whenever I hear people say I'll just give my dog or cat up, or simply move out and leave the pets behind. It leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, even more so if they lock them in or tie them to a post. But I couldn't imagine just leaving behind a pet and not taking care of them after I've made the commitment to have them.

No it doesn't change my opinion a pet is just an animal

Yes it does change my opinion of their character (negatively)

It depends where they left them (at an adoption center etc)

[Lliam]

For the most part, yes. If someone simply abandoned their pet, I would no longer associate with them. As far as I'm concerned, abandoning a pet is the same as abandoning a child. It's beyond cruel. People who would do such a thing aren't even human in my eyes.

But there are circumstances that force people to give up their pets. I don't have negative feelings if they give them to a no-kill adoption center or to a good family.

Over the years, my wife and I have adopted four older cats from a local no-kill animal center. They all turned out to be sweet, loving kitties.

We adopted another who had been born in the adoption center and fostered in a home until someone adopted him. He was 6 weeks old when we adopted him and he's close to two now. He's a wonderful boy.
We also got one girl from some people who were moving and couldn't take her with them. She was about 6 years old when we got her and is almost 18 now. She went blind last January but she's still happy and healthy and has a very good life. We love her.

[Lliam]

Thanks for the MHO. 😽

[Anonymous]

Yes. I've said many times animals are just beasts. They can't love you. That's a human trait we believe is possible. But that doesn't mean animals don't form familial bonds with humans. they absolutely do!

It says in the Bible that God gave us command of beasts and household pets do fall under that. But with command comes responsibilities. When you take on the responsibility of a pet you cannot abandon it. If you cannot live up to that don't adopt a pet.

Anyone that abandons a pet tells me they have trouble living up to thier responsibilities.

[Alli39]

If you do it responsibly (ex. given to another caretaker or adoption center) and have a good reason (such as inability to care for the animal) then I have less of an issue. If you do it irresponsibly or on a whim, I have more of an issue. I think it's also worse if it's an animal that tends to get emotionally attached like a cat or a dog (because your turtle or fish probably don't really care who's feeding them as long as they're safe and cared for)

[Agape93]

Oh yeah, negatively. Especially if you just release them outside where they end up dying alone, or they end up going feral and attacking people.

[TallAnon]

If you don't treat animals right, I don't treat you right.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yes, those people are trash.

[DaBiggestBird]

I would be appalled so basically yes.

[collie22]

Yeppers