Christians owning pets

[pauljok1]

I am posting this not to create enemies but to see if someone here can help me with my struggle.
As a Christian who owns 2 cats and a fish I struggle with justifying owning a pet.
The money spent caring for a pet could be used to literally save a human life. I am not sure of the exact number but lets say in America we donate over $80 million dollars a year to charities for animals. Can you imagine how many actual lives this money could save??? (In fact, I hope no one here who claims to be a Christian is donating to a pet charity versus one that saves human lives or tithing to their church.)
Granted it only costs about $14 a month for us to care for our cats if they do not need a vet visit; but on the flip side we were led to donate $32 a month to support a child overseas through Compassion International. So if we took what we spent for buying the cats and their initial set-up costs - how many starving children could we have saved??

So, can a Christian justify owning a pet?

In His Presence, Paul

 

[Humble Pie]

Hi, I support the local animal shelter and they really need it. I just drop off a shopping bag full of cat food when I can. That doesn't stop me using my money for humanitarian purposes too.
Domestic cats need a home just like you and me.

 

[lanieloo]

The reason animals need our help is because we are hurting them at the same time. 90% of the time it's our fault that animals are dying/going extinct or going through things they can't cope with. Think about the polar bears. It's our fault that the ice caps are melting and their habitat is being destroyed. Should we not do everything in our power to undo the wrongs we've done and love all the creatures on this planet? Would God want us to turn our back on animals whom we've caused harm to? They need our help just as much as other humans and while I don't disagree that we should be tithing and helping with humanitarian efforts, I think helping all of God's creatures is important.

 

[Emma Green]

I feel like domesticated and wild animals need our help because of what we have done to them! I love dogs, and will always own at least one, but I know that since humans domesticated them and they are dependent on humans, we are responsible for their care. I don't currently donate to animal shelters, but in the future when I have more financial stability I will. Many (but definitely not all!) humans that rely on welfare could turn their life around and get back on their feet! However, animals are unable to do this and they rely solely on us for their care. That's why I feel that we are responsible for them.

 

[Brianlear]

We are to be stewards of all creation, not just humans. Personally I feel dogs bring joy into our families, and remind us how to love, therefore why not accept this blessing?

 

[aflower4God]

Hi there dear brother I think that animals are from God and we as humans are to look after them. Like there is the neighbors cat and once I used my foodstamps to buy tuna that I was intending to make tuna salad for myself. BUT one day the neighbors cat came over and looked rather hungry so I gave him my 89 cents can of tuna I felt good doing that. I don't see anything wrong with Christians helping animals out, heck I use to spend time at a shelter for cats.
Pets need us too, it hurts me so much to see animals neglected and abused. I know that Christ would not treat any animal like that. This is just my opinion
I hope this helps. God bless you dear brother.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

God created them..show affection,care for them as He does..no need to "justify" this.

 

[OliviaT]

I think reading levictus 11:27 would sged some light on this

 

[AnneY]

Proverbs 12:10a - A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: (it doesn't specify whether that beast is livestock or pet)

I think Christians are more than capable of having compassion for both people and animals. By the way, there are humans that work at those animal shelters that would be seeing Christian compassion in action, and the subject of Christianity can come up when doing tedious chores. A long time back I had a few spare hours so I went to my local shelter and volunteered to help clean the cat area. The subject of missions/Christianity came up while I and another girl were filling water and food bowls and we had a good conversation. At the end she said she would go back to church (just not mine because she thought it was too strict! haha! but I was happy she was willing to return to church).

 

[rhawk]

The money spent caring for a pet could be used to literally save a human life. I am not sure of the exact number but lets say in America we donate over $80 million dollars a year to charities for animals.... So if we took what we spent for buying the cats and their initial set-up costs - how many starving children could we have saved??

Animals are alive. God granted them the divine spark of life. Not all animals are consumable, so why would God make them? My thought is that animals are important to God and his plans. Some perhaps to help humans. Dogs, for example... Wolves are not overly useful as wild packs, but somewhere along the line they befriended humans and a wonderful symbotic relationship was born. They helped humans and we fed and sheltered and loved them. Now we have dogs.

The idea of not owning animals to save $14 a month that could be used to helping other people is akin to:
1. Do you have cable or satellite TV service? Drop it and use over the air free signals to save $40 to $200 a month and then give that to a needy cause.
2. Do you have a smart phone? Drop that for a simple standard cell phone and save the money for the needy.
3. Do you have a cell and home phone? Get rid of one.
4. Do you have a car that gets more than 35mpg?
5. Do you go to movies and buy popcorn?

You get the idea. I God never said that we must all live lives containing no fun, entertainment, zeal that I remember reading in the bible. In fact I believe caring for, loving and helping animals helps to continue Gods creations.

If you have pets or animals and you have extra money OR time, by all means donate the money, time and energy as you feel should be. AnneY pointed out that people work in shelters and if you stop by and donate items, money or time you can help spread Gods love. There are many more ways to live a holy life than strictly human charitable donations. If you believe that an extra $14 a month spent on your fur/feather family would be better used on helping people, you could help out at your local shelter for a few hours a month. That is worth $14 and then some.

So my answer to "Can a Christian justify owning a pet?" is most certainly "Yes". And I will ask, knowing God gave these pets life and knowing these living gifts from God can love us unconditionally, help us physically and mentally and help promote a healthy life, how can a Christian not justify caring for an animal (pet or helping outdoor life)?

I'll end by thanking you for caring for 3 of Gods miracles (2 cats and a fish). Please give your cats a loving chin scratch from me. (I am unsure of what a fish would like, but perhaps give it a little extra food from me). I pray that you can resolve your feelings of caring for Gods creatures and find a way that feels right to you.

Sincerely,

David

 

[CanadianChristianWife]

I sponsor two girls through Compassion Canada, and also volunteer for them. We have 4 dogs, 2 cats and 2 rats at the moment. My animals were mostly rescues, I support animal organizations in many ways and I also fundraise/volunteer for our local autism group and many causes helping people as well. Our church has a 12 hour food drive helping three local food banks twice a year, helped with that today. We're currently trying to adopt children from foster care.

 

[EmmaCat]

Hold on a minute.

People OWN pets?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Here are some disturbing truths about pets:

Pets own us. They are the only ones who can wake us up at 4am because the food bowl MIGHT be almost **GASP!!** empty! People who wake us up at 4am asking for food get thrown at the refrigerator and told to get over it.

The dog doesn't hate the cats. The cats do not hate the dog. They carefully coordinate their attacks upon beds, shelves and desks while you're gone, then turn into violent, hate-filled racists blaming each other for the damage when you get home. And you still think they're cute!!

"Nanny cams" were NOT invented for spying on nannies. Trust me on this one. That inventor had a pair of cats named Bonnie and Clyde, and the rest is history. Yes, we're doomed ... we keep repeating it.

Veterinarians are mean-spirited types who don't HAVE to put that thermometer back there. And we pay them to do that!

Food-finnickiness is their way of saying, "Kneel, peasant." Off we go to the store for the seventh time, in search of the perfect food.

Cats kick litter out of their boxes. Dogs eat grass and hork it up on your carpet. This is their way of showing their disapproval of our having thumbs. We haven't figured that one out yet.

Cats pretend to hate water so you don't make them go fishing for their food. You didn't know that either, did you?

Dogs pretend to hate baths just so you get soaked too ... yet they LOVE jumping in the creek and bringing home three acres of mud just to watch you get soaked cleaning it up. See the connection here?

I do love my two cats and my dog, though, ulterior motives and all. And I do support our local Humane Society with what I can afford, which sometimes isn't much. Until recently, I didn't have much money, so sometimes my "donation" was only a few hours spent cleaning cages and kennels, exam rooms, equipment, and maybe a little data entry. I know it isn't much, but it's all I had to give.

I help people too, but that's a different topic. The animals are there; they need some kindness, compassion, petting and head-bonking just like the rest of us, I think.

All good things
Emmy

 

[country woman]

Go gave us animals so we can have companions

 

[skalle]

This isn't an either/or scenario.

 

[Mudinyeri]

We are to be stewards of all creation, not just humans.

We are. Unfortunately, we have domesticated "pets" to the point where many of them are literally unable to care for themselves. We have compounded this problem by failing in our stewardship so that the population of "pets" far exceeds the ability of the human population to care for these animals. In other words, we have created an artificial surplus of animals that serve no real purpose other than, possibly, companionship. Even if companionship is a real purpose, the supply far outstrips the demand ... and humanity's ability to pay.

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I have had pets for many years and love them all (past and present). My guinea pigs have and are wonderful. When I feel bad, I hold and love on them. All they ask in return is a clean cage (I have a 2 x 5 C&C cage for my two girls), fresh food, water, and hay. As does my little gerbil. Sassy, my gerbil, isn't cuddly, but I enjoy watching her go about her life in her tank. She will eat sunflower seeds from my hand, but that is the extent of her affection.

 

[chandraclaws]

Animals are an amazing gift from God. I see loving them and caring for them as an act of gratitude and worship.

 

[mmksparbud]

We are made with a great capacity to love. It can include many people, to many animals. God didn't have to make animals, He made them before He made us and we are to take care of them along with the earth and each other. Humans can become very damaged, emotionally. Animals have an ability to love without judging that can help many people. They are used extensively to help children and adults adjust to life's difficulties both physically and emotionally. Many, sadly, too many, are so damaged that they do not know how to love anything or anyone. My husband was one of those.
He was filled with anger. He was abused, unloved as a child and had no concept of love. He could become physically violent very easily. I was raised with 3 older brothers who taught me to stand up for myself and I would not allow him to brow beat me. I lashed out at him full force and threw him in jail and would not back down meekly. It could be WW3 at times. I got a cat that was going to be out down when it's owner went to a nursing home. My husband made it clear it was my responsibility and he would have nothing to do with it, he had never had a pet of any kind. It spend the 1st 3 days under the bed. I kept it in my room when hubby was home. Cats do not take to being ignored. It jumped on his lap and put his pretty little face right up there nose to nose and purred. "why is it making that noise?"--It's called purring, they do it when they are happy---"he's happy to be on my lap??!!"Yep.--"Really?"---that was it. He got sick and I had to take him to the vet---hubby was darn near hysterical!! Is he going to die??!! He was crying. At the vets, he was so upset the vet asked him to step outside so he and I could talk. Just needed a little antibiotic for a little infection. But hubby was like a totally deranged mother hen. I said, I thought you didn't like cats--I don't, He is not a cat, --What is he?--He's my buddy!"---Thus he was introduced to love. He was only learning boundaries from me--the love he had to get from the cat! It ripped him apart when he died. He needed that also.
He was thrown a puppy while we still had that cat. It was thrown into his pickup. He brought it home. He was still sorting out anger issues and he threw her against the screen door when she peed on the rug---Let's just say I did not take that too well and after he healed he never did it again. The puppy never skipped a beat, turned around and ran up to him and begged to be picked up. "Why isn't it made at me?" Because he loves you----really?---She follows him everywhere. She is nearly 12, their breed only live to around 12. She has problems pooping and we end up having to wipe down her butt after pooping--he does it every day. We missed a couple times and she got the floor messed up---he cleaned it up without a word. He rarely gets angry anymore. He saw that when we yelled at each other the dog and cat would go outside and looked scared. So he learned to control his temper to not upset "the kids." (we have no children)---Yes, God knew what He was doing when He gave us pets.

 

[EmmaCat]

We are made with a great capacity to love. It can include many people, to many animals. God didn't have to make animals, He made them before He made us and we are to take care of them along with the earth and each other. Humans can become very damaged, emotionally. Animals have an ability to love without judging that can help many people. They are used extensively to help children and adults adjust to life's difficulties both physically and emotionally. Many, sadly, too many, are so damaged that they do not know how to love anything or anyone. My husband was one of those.
He was filled with anger. He was abused, unloved as a child and had no concept of love. He could become physically violent very easily. I was raised with 3 older brothers who taught me to stand up for myself and I would not allow him to brow beat me. I lashed out at him full force and threw him in jail and would not back down meekly. It could be WW3 at times. I got a cat that was going to be out down when it's owner went to a nursing home. My husband made it clear it was my responsibility and he would have nothing to do with it, he had never had a pet of any kind. It spend the 1st 3 days under the bed. I kept it in my room when hubby was home. Cats do not take to being ignored. It jumped on his lap and put his pretty little face right up there nose to nose and purred. "why is it making that noise?"--It's called purring, they do it when they are happy---"he's happy to be on my lap??!!"Yep.--"Really?"---that was it. He got sick and I had to take him to the vet---hubby was darn near hysterical!! Is he going to die??!! He was crying. At the vets, he was so upset the vet asked him to step outside so he and I could talk. Just needed a little antibiotic for a little infection. But hubby was like a totally deranged mother hen. I said, I thought you didn't like cats--I don't, He is not a cat, --What is he?--He's my buddy!"---Thus he was introduced to love. He was only learning boundaries from me--the love he had to get from the cat! It ripped him apart when he died. He needed that also.
He was thrown a puppy while we still had that cat. It was thrown into his pickup. He brought it home. He was still sorting out anger issues and he threw her against the screen door when she peed on the rug---Let's just say I did not take that too well and after he healed he never did it again. The puppy never skipped a beat, turned around and ran up to him and begged to be picked up. "Why isn't it made at me?" Because he loves you----really?---She follows him everywhere. She is nearly 12, their breed only live to around 12. She has problems pooping and we end up having to wipe down her butt after pooping--he does it every day. We missed a couple times and she got the floor messed up---he cleaned it up without a word. He rarely gets angry anymore. He saw that when we yelled at each other the dog and cat would go outside and looked scared. So he learned to control his temper to not upset "the kids." (we have no children)---Yes, God knew what He was doing when He gave us pets.

I love this story!! Thank you!

 

[mmksparbud]

I love this story!! Thank you!

There was another dog we lost a few mths ago. It had lost its bowel and bladder control and was dying. This man that had thrown that other puppy against the screen door for peeing, was holding this dog in his arms, with tears in his eyes, just petting him and gently saying " You just pee and poop anywhere you need to, don't worry, I'll clean it up." And he cleaned it up every day till he died. That is the power of love, and it is worth whatever it costs.