Majority Willing To Risk Their Lives To Save Pets, Says Study

A recent study conducted by a New Zealand university student found that over 50% of pet owners are willing to risk their lives to save a non-human family member. Former SPCA officer Steve Glassey conducted the experiment after researching pet owners hesitant to evacuate their homes during Hurricane Katrina, according to News.com.au.

Many emergency shelters during the Katrina crisis did not allow evacuees to bring their pets -- a dealbreaker for many families.

"It comes down to core value,'' Glassey said. "[People are] seeing pets as more than just sentimental property, so they want to make sure that all their family is evacuated, not just select members.''

Comments

[SecondBase]

05:23 PM on 03/02/2010

There's also a lot of opportunities in most places to contribute in some fashion to saving the lives of other animals, and preventing the birth of animals that will not be cared for.

We have cats, recently a new mama cat brought up four kittens. We got in a local animal rescue program and fostered these visitors. The folks at the program paid for the medical care, and offered food (we didn't take them up on the food since we already had cats) if needed. We provided our home, trips to the vet, our time socializing the kittens and mama, and interactions with the two adopting families who found the kittens through the rescue agencies website.

It was a little work, but a great return, and we now share email photos with the new families.

And we decided to keep the mama, who we named Honor because she was very noble in taking care of her kittens.

Well, I've talked your ears off by now.

This is just one way to help. There are many others, such as feral trap/spay/neuter, feral colony feeding.

Anyway, I just thought I'd mention that.

Adios

[MsVella]

02:22 PM on 03/01/2010

I would most definitely risk my life to save my little benji

[LisaCACO]

11:05 AM on 03/01/2010

duh! they're family. you do what you need to do for family.

[Artemis34]

03:24 PM on 02/28/2010

I can relate to that!

[TomJoad1965]

04:15 AM on 02/28/2010

You are all crazy to risk your life for a pet, the world's a better place with us nuts in it!

[infidel2]

07:38 AM on 02/27/2010

My pets matter as much as family & more than most people I know. If they go down, so do I.

[leajazz]

12:17 AM on 02/27/2010

contagious......sorry, I hate this screen, can't see it.

[leajazz]

12:07 AM on 02/27/2010

WARNING:

Ten years ago I warned people about a cotagious virus that was killing cats. I took one cat to the vet and he told me not to bring anymore in but sold me enough medicine to treat all of my cats, barn and house cats, they survived.

There is a cotagious respiratory virus going around in Mich. right now.

If you hear your cat cough and sneeze, get it to the vet within 24 hrs. My vet saw one cat and sold me enough antibiotics to treat all the cats. Right now 3 house cats and 7 barn cats are sick. It's nasty.

[cindyperry]

08:34 PM on 02/26/2010

I had a Rottweiller for 12 years I i realize that's a long time and was incredibly lucky he was with me that long) but he passed in 2006. I have not gotten over it and probably won't. I will however do whatever when ever and where ever i can to help another that needs my help. I stole a pit bull puppy being fed crank by tweekers and would do the same thing again tomorrow.

[CarolinaYankee]

07:28 PM on 02/26/2010

I am one of them. When I lived in Georgia my little cockerpoo got a neck injury and surgery and ICU cost over $2,600.00 my neighbors told me to just shoot him and get another dog. I told them he was my little son, would they just shoot theirs if he was injured. I do not regret it, he knows how we take care of him and gives us unconditional love and loyalty to this day, more than I can say for most people I know.

[jozie]

11:02 PM on 02/26/2010

And if you told the same neighbors you spent $2600 on a new big screen tv they would have congratulated you and invited themselves over to watch the game. But if you spend it on a living being that you love and have taken responsibility for, you're just crazy.

[leajazz]

11:42 PM on 02/26/2010

Carolina, There are people out there that just don't get it. Pets are like children. They depend on us. I won't say how much Vet. bills set me back over the years. I don't regret it either.

[booki]

05:59 PM on 02/26/2010

when i was growing up.......we had all the disney vids,, the older ones..
i remember seeing a vid called : Old Yeller.
i sware it changed my life..... forever.

very sad...........but..........not much has changed .............ck it out.........
it will make you cry, and realize ..........why you would risk your life.....
for your beloved dog.

[Issaquah79]

05:24 PM on 02/26/2010

My dog is one of my dearest friends and greatest loves. We are bonded forever. I'd do anything for him. Risk my life, give up my worldly possessions, be homeless. Whatever it takes to keep us together. It's ridiculous to me that people find this odd. Canines are our soul mates! Our connection to them is divine in its nature, sacred. Dogs risk their lives all of the time for humans. Through rescue operations, being service animals, and just every day companions that show their absolute devotion to their humans through anything. I've had dogs face down rattlesnakes and bears for me. She would have taken on T-Rex. Most dogs are fearless in the face of danger and will fight to the death to protect their families. How could you not risk your life for someone so fiercly loving and loyal? That deserves everything I can give in return.

[HamletsMill]

01:03 AM on 02/28/2010

Beautiful post. Fanned!

[SecondBase]

05:05 PM on 03/02/2010

Indeed x2.

[TomJoad1965]

04:06 AM on 02/28/2010

I like you!

[zeldapie]

05:16 PM on 02/26/2010

I would definitely risk my life to save my pets, but then again, I wouldn't hesitate to save any animal. I would also risk my life to save a human being.
I'm not sure why some people think compassion is exclusive. Just because I'm an animal rights/welfare activist doesn't mean I'm not also a human rights/welfare activist. Simply because I'd go out of my to help an animal does not mean that I value them over humans. Both animals and humans are deserving of our care and compassion. We're all God's creatures (if you believe in God, that is)!

[booki]

07:21 PM on 02/26/2010

we are all creatures of our world.
i am with you brother.......
i do prefer 4 leggeds. but i have saved 2 leggeds.............
animals will never intentionally hurt you..

[booki]

07:34 PM on 02/26/2010

sorry, i meant ............i am with you sistah (i never looked at your screen name) until now.

[rivahcat]

04:48 PM on 02/26/2010

My kitties are my children. Not only would I risk my life for them, dog help anyone who tries to harm them... I'd be in jail for murder. Of course, I feel pretty much the same way about my loved humans.

[Aargauer]

04:33 PM on 02/26/2010

I don't care what hate is directed my way. Would I choose my dogs over human beings I don't know ( and many I do)? Apart from this being a false choice, yes. Unapologetically, unequivacably, absolutely, yes. I don't expect anyone else to feel or act this way, but yes. And I would give my life to save my dogs without hesitation.

[Lozange]

04:38 PM on 02/26/2010

Dogs or pets fill many types of void. It's a sad commentary on the people around, but having a pet also connects you to a wider group that transcends these people.