So every pet owner without at least $10k set aside for pet emergency care is a bad owner. That describes 99% of pet owners.
I agree people should plan for more pet-related costs than they do, but, as technology progresses, there doesn't seem to be a ceiling on the amount you _could_ spend to save a pet.
In my case, we have always taken in rescue animals. So the choice is between leaving the pet at shelter or a life in a good home with some limited options when it comes to end-of-life care. I think the latter option is more humane.
There are pretty decent pet insurance policies responsible pet owners could purchase and pay a monthly premium on. I've used it for my past two dogs and it has been painless and easy to use when I needed to.
So it isn't a big $10K+ or bust argument. But the sad fact of the matter is very few pet owners assume ownership while planning for the potential bad days and the extra financial burden and responsibility that they should feel when they take on pet ownership.
I come at it from the angle that taking in a horse will costs you inordinate amounts of money upfront, and people are generally ok with it, and won't be crying to get a poney when they're already struggling to pay a mortgage.
If in practice owning a dog or cat will also cost 10k at times, it's only reasonable to take the same approach and consider owning a them as a pretty high luxury, until the costs effectively come down.
Or every pet owner gets to your level of dedication and will assist their pet and the vet when tough times come and hard decisions need to be made. I personally wouldn't have the guts so I'll stick with my goldfishes.
I agree people should plan for more pet-related costs than they do, but, as technology progresses, there doesn't seem to be a ceiling on the amount you _could_ spend to save a pet.
In my case, we have always taken in rescue animals. So the choice is between leaving the pet at shelter or a life in a good home with some limited options when it comes to end-of-life care. I think the latter option is more humane.