"poor" people owning dogs

I agree it's a moral issue. You've got people that can afford dogs, but leave them chained up outside and lonely, just give basic food and shelter. You can have a homeless person with a dog and that maybe the happiest dog in the world, just him and his buddy.. The same is true with people, there are so many that have no business having kids... but then there's nothing we can do about it, unless they've been charged with animal abuse or child neglect, then they keep having them and authorities keep taking them away.

I have to say I imagine that a lot of the animals that are given up are probably due to people not having the money to care for them. I believe like children, pets are a priviledge, not a right. Everyone considering a pet should make sure they have the resources to provide adequate care. I don't think someone can be labeled a "responsible" pet owner if they can't provide solid nutrition and healthcare.

While Rk makes a good arguement, I don't, however agree with the idea that dogs are mostly given away due to not having the means to fund the animals health and welfare. I know that most of the dogs given up to the sheltering umbrella is due to lack of training and having to deal with the bad behavior or habits that come along as the consequence ...or lack of time responsible to deal with their needs, so the dog is left lonely, often neglected and disliked because the dog was either purchased as a X-mas gift or for whatever reason...usually the wrong one. A dog is a blessing. He/she comes to the home in either a baby "state" or adult, but either way it's like adopting a child in many ways. The dog doesn't have a maturity of older than a two year old child...in his/her entire lifetime. You have to really, really want a dog to love and have love you in order for this relationship to feel like he/she is a family member and NOT a darned responsibility...a thing that is forced upon you and taking you away from things you would rather be doing, you know?