Question:
How much responsibility should children be given for their pets? I know that when I was 12 and had my first chin, I was responsible for everything expept the monetary part. Is that too much? Not enough? Should kids have to pay for their animals with their allowance? How much responsibility should the parents have?
I know that a lot of the answer depends on the individual kid...but still...I think that if parents take over too soon and are too willing to help, the kids will never understand the work and responsibility that go into a pet. On the other hand, when does it cross the line that the pet is being neglected?


Answer:
I think that parents should definately be responsible for the monetary part of their child's pet ownership, it's not like a child can go to work and earn money for their pet, that's why we have child labour laws, lol! I think big vet bills should be covered by parents. But money for treats and stuff could be saved up from the child's allowance.
I think that pets are important for a child, it teaches them to be compassionate for another living creature and also responsibility. Obviously the parents would have to step in if their child was neglecting the pet and either take the pet away or show their child why neglecting their pet is being inhumane. I think if more parents took the time to explain these things to their kids, there'd be more considerate kids out there. Growing up with Nintendo and tv isn't exactly what I'd call a well-rounded childhood.
But depending on the child, I think parents can pretty much give all care to the child like feeding and watering and help with cleaning the animal's living area depending on how big the animal is. Like my mom would wash the dog's pillows and blankets once every two weeks for me but I had to clean out my hamster cages myself.
Probably the older the child gets, the more responsibility can be shifted from parent to child. Children imitate adults and if they see their parents as responsible pet owners, it's more likely they will grow up to be responsible too.


Answer:
Personally, I think it depends largely on the child. I know some kids I wouldn't let have a pet rock, muchless a live animal. I also know another girl who is 12 years old and has bred her pets (corn snakes). That being said, I think the parents need to realize that and be honest with themselves, and don't go on the thought that maybe getting the pet will teach an irresponsible child some responsibility. They need to be ready to step in and make sure the animal gets proper care at any point - the monetary issue aside. Being a responsible pet owner themselves certainly goes a long way to help the children understand the work and time involved.
Rav


Answer:
I think the main thing should be the animals' welfare, above all. The child's experience of the animals is good, but it should always be kept in mind that the pets are living things with needs & rights, not toys. Nothing makes me sadder & angrier than when parents get kids animals who get neglected & abused by children who "love" them to death.


Answer:
I think that a lot of parents are too quick to put down an animal when it is sick...especially a hamster, gerbil, or something else that is inexpensive. I don't think that sends the right message to the children. Sure the pet is only worth $25 but doesn't it deserve to live despite a $100 vet bill?


Answer:
When I was a child it devestated me that my parents constantly let my pets die of infectious illnesses & injuries. My cats were always dying from preventable causes. They never got vaccinations or neutering. It is for this reason that I vehemently oppose a CHILD being in charge of the pet/s- the PARENTS *MUST* assume responsibility for the animals, because so much can go wrong. Let me tell you, I would NEVER let my present pets suffer what my childhood ones did.


Answer:
It depends largely on the child and the pet. I have two teenage daughters, each have chosen their own pets, and each was given much of the responsibility for their pet(s).
My oldest daughter has never gotten the picture that a pet is like having your own child, which you have to provide for and make sacrifices for -for example, if she had a choice of going to the vet with her pet while it had its routine exams, etc. and going somewhere with her friends instead, she would always choose going with her friends. If the pet was a dog, and needed to go outside to relieve itself, she would rather stay inside where it is warm and dry, and not bother with the dog. My youngest daughter, however, is the complete opposite- she does everything for her pets, no matter what she has to give up personally. She goes to the vet with her pets EVERY time, (even offers to pay the bill if she has money, or do extra chores to "pay me back") and will remain in the exam room holding the pet, answering the vet's questions, and listening to the diagnosis, treatment plan, etc. If meds have to be given, she is right there to do it, no matter when it has to be done. If she is going away overnight, she always makes arrangements for her pets to be cared for while she is gone, makes a detailed instruction sheet for what they need and when, and never fails to call and remind me that it is time to feed her critters, check to see how they are, etc. When I have to be away, I have no problem at all trusting my youngest to care for all my critters exactly as I would do it, and at exactly the time I do it myself. She has as much interest in my pets as I do, and is always willing to learn more and help with them in any way she can.


Answer:
one thing I try to tell parents when chosing a pet for their kids is IF YOU DONT WANT THE PET OR TAKE COMPLETE CHARGE OF THE PET THEN DONT GET IT
if my son came to me when he was 10 and asked me for a snake,,,,first off I would see how much he researched and knew about the chosen animal,,,,secondly is my child responsible to begin with?? if I tell him to make his bed every morning before school and he only "remembers" to do it once a week then NO no pet,,how the heck would he rememebr to feed it all of the time, thirdly, kids and alot of adults get bored with a pet and no longer care or want to take care of it any longer, if I never ever wanted a snake and didnt want the responsibility of the snake I wouldnt let my son get it becuase if he gets bored with it, who will look after it?? I would want my son to have something I would enjoy also just in case it became mine
I dont agree with alot of kids owning pets,,,,they want a certain pet becuase their friend has one, I know there is exceptions but every time one of my boys says "I want that" and bugs for a week doesnt mean they will be getting it,,they have to prove to me they can handle it
and all that rambling being said, i think it all narrows down to certain kids and parents ,,,and of course the pet, certain pets require alot more time and money than others


Answer:
The question shouldn't be "How much responsibility should the child have" but how much responsibility is the PARENT going to take when the kid gets bored with the pet... I constantly see parents dumping their kid's pet off at the Humane Society because they aren't taking care of it... What is that teaching their kid? That the pet is disposable...
I'm all for certain children having their own pet... and Margaret (Evolve D) above, explained it perfectly. It depends on the child's interest in animals & their responsibility level.


Answer:
Too many people @ this time of year start planning to buy Xmas puppies/kittens/other pets without even taking into consideration whether it will be good for the animal in question. I can think of no worse gift for a young child than a pet they cannot assume care & responsibility for.