I tend to think my dogs are pretty happy living with me. They're fed, taken care of, played with, walked, and loved. I'm sure my dogs are much happier than the stray dogs trying to find their next meal.

Cats chose to domesticate as an evolutionary strategy, it is in fact their owners who are being taken advantage of.

And dogs? Man's best friend. Have you never watched family guy?

It is quite awesome except for the down side: the island is a looooooong ways away from pretty girls my age.

Well, I mean, if my dog goes out in the street he's probably gonna die in like 5 minutes. Or starve. O get sick. Domestic animals don't function as wild animals.

2 cats both of which go outside and are allowed to roam. Both always come back for sleeping, food and companionship etc. Little Conker is a very affectionate cat who likes a lot of attention some of the time. Not a chance would he survive in the wild for long. Besides he is already much older than normal wild cats survive to. My other cat Josie needs minimal attention before she starts purring. Sometimes I think they get a little bored but they are generally very happy cats.

You only have to see a feral cat to see they are often in poor health and in a constant state of fear. I't's living day to day by your wits and a single mistake can mean death. I'm pretty sure most people prefer a more laid back existence to that and I don't think its any surprise an animal thinks the same.

Oh my god. People are now questioning having pets? People really do have too much time on their hands. Ffs.

Going by this logic and "animal rights" that gorilla that got shot when it dragged the kid around should have been held responsible. If we are gonna treat them like they are as smart and have as many feelings as humans "and let them live their own lives" without "denying them that" then they need to be treated as such, meaning held responsible and all that.

Like seriously though, for real? Don't you have anything better to do? -_-

Many cats are let outdoors to be free, they come and go as they please but choose to stay with their owners because it is beneficial to them. They get all the free food and love they could ever want.

That and they are genetically bred to like humans. If you have ever seen feral cats you will see how they are eager for human attention when they can get it, if they have not been attacked by humans causing them to fear us.

For me the issue begins and ends with: Doesn't wipe it's ass and doesn't wear pants. The less exposed inter-species rectum in my life, the better.

Is this the real world equivalent of team Plasma?

Anyway, the debate comes down to a very simple question imo. The vast majority of animals will live much better lives if they are kept as pets. The vast majority of humans will not.

As a personal example, all three of my pets are adopted; two were strays that found the house, and the third came from a litter of kittens that no one wanted. Had we refused to help them, they'd probably have been eaten by other wild animals. Now that they're older; I by no means constrain them; they're free to go as they please, with the exception of the occasional vet visit. They choose to stick around the house on their own free will.

Ownership? Perhaps. Guardianship? No, that falls wel into moral boundaries.