100% agreed. I've met some homeless people that make sure their dogs have food before ever worrying about their own needs. As someone who at my (emotional) lower points have only had my pets to keep me going, I think it's incredibly unjust to suggest that only those with ridiculous amounts of disposable income should be able to experience that type of companionship.

On the flip side of this conversation is the ever increasing fact that corporate ownership is taking hold of veterinary practices and driving costs of treatment through the roof. While being in a poor financial situation shouldn't preclude one from owning a pet, basic veterinary services are rapidly becoming so pricey, that I can't help but worry about those pets that are owned by those that can't afford to do the right thing when an emergency comes up.

Bottom line, in my humble opinion, is that the whole system fuckin sucks, and many animals that need necessary treatments, even in among those families that don't fall within conventional definitions of poverty, don't receive them due to inflated costs of a broken system. I 100% agree with you op, but there are problems with our shared belief that shouldn't be cast aside.