Should families get rid of pets once they start having children?

I do not think that's right. Parenting and pet parenting are both responsibilites. You took on a responsibility to love and care for the pet just as you would a child. Would you abandon your child if you found out you had another on the way?

People who are going to get rid of a pet just because they have children shouldn't have pets. And if a pet is a proven risk to your children, you should find a home for it with a friend or family member that doesn't have kids in the home. Sending them to shelters isn't the answer as shelters are already overcrowded. Honestly, I feel that people should put as much thought into getting a pet as into having a child. They should consider beforehand how they will take care of it, whether they are prepared to commit time to it, and what complications may arise. If you do plan to have children, you should only get pets that you can guarantee will be safe for your children, you should properly train them, and you should supervise them around young children at all times. Getting rid of a pet for no good reason is unacceptable, but having a pet that is a threat to your child is also unacceptable. If you can't keep your pet from harming your child, find it a home with no children in it. It's as simple as that.

You are right. Unfortunately. They are cute and cuddly until.. Then what? I suggest getting the cat or dog or whatever animal, fixed to prevent reporduction. Those on a fixed income can usually do so rather inexpensively if you go to the local pet shelter. Often they will or know of resources to help. Another way to prevent pregnacy in your animals is to keep the males separated from the females. They are animals and unless we step in they will reporduce. I beleive that humans can be good pet parents and a good parent also. They are two of the same is it not? Too many? Scale down. Take your family pet in to be spayed or neutred. You'll be glad you did!

I can't stand people who do that. If someone is that against having pets as well as children, they shouldn't have pets. An animal becomes a part of the family. You assume responsibility for that animal's life. Besides that, there's no real reason to get rid of an animal just due to pregnancy. The animal should already be well socialized and precautions to keep the animal away from the child unless supervised are not difficult. A lot of women have read a lot of scare propaganda on certain bacteria in cat excrement that can cause birth complications. In order for that to happen, the pregnant woman would have to consistently *consume* the cat waste. Pets are not practice for children. Pets are an addition to the family and aren't just disposable when it becomes inconvenient.

That is just down right cruel in my book! We had dogs and cats befoe our children were born and the entire family adapted quite well If I could not find my Rottie she was usually under a crib or snuck into the kids beds. I never had to worry about my children and strangers. Pets love us and giving them away is heartless.

Never. I remember when I was growing up, my parents loved the pets and us. We loved the pets. All our pets are still alive and well, and I might add my dad and mom still look after them like babies even after all these years. So no. It depends on how you raise your children and your style of parenting.

Unless the pet is a physical threat to the new baby or the pet just cannot be cared for anymore, then absolutely NOT! People take pets for granted too many times. I think that everyone should be required to take an extensive pet training course before ever being allowed to own a pet (ALL pets included :-)).

I think it's wrong to dispose of pets when you begin having children.Pets are very good for children to grow up with.It never even entered my mind to get rid of my pets when I became pregnant.The only thing that could make me change my mind would be if I thought the pet was a danger to my child,but then I would just keep them apart.

I could never understand this practice either. Personally I wouldn't have a pet that I couldn't have around a child anyways so it shouldn't matter if I have kids or not. Also pets can be great for kids to have at any age, even as babies. I know my neice loved all our animals when she was growing up. She'd even try to share her bottle with them :) What also gets me are the ones that will dispose of a pet because they are moving. My thought is to find a place that allows pets. You did when you got the pet why not do so again? Why just get rid of them then? It never made sense to me. Many places allow pets and they aren't that hard to find. To many people think of pets as something there for when they want them and something to be gotten rid of when they don't. That is not fair to the pet. They love and care for the people in their lives. To just get rid of them is unjust. They deserve far better then that from us.

i believe not to get rid at all, but somehow get rid 'inside' the house. we cant say what disease the animals are carrying but i guess having them outside the house and having taken care of is not a problem

It's a sad fact that people do this. Pets are loving members of the family and if they get time to get used to the baby, they come to love the baby as well. Having a baby doesn't mean you have to get rid of your pet. That's nuts. Pets are members of the family, as well, but a lot of people forget that. :(

All my pets have become part of my family, throwing them out is something I just could not bear to do. They are as much members of our family as my children.

I think this is wrong unless for some reason the pet is a threat to the child I say you can have both. I always have. I have had 1-3 cats in my home along with my three children since the kids were newborns. Taking on a pet is a lifetime comittment. Or at least for the life of the pet.

The only reason I would find it suitable to put a animal in a shelter is if it was abusive to my children.

A good parents sometimes should give their pets to give their whole attention to their children. Childrens are more imporatnt than animals because they are humans.

no they should get rid of their kids they had the animals first

it is good to rid off pet they are unhealthy for children

This is jst a myth! Pets help in a healthy growing of children! U jst need to b sure tht the pet is nt violent!