I think most pet owners are kind and loving towards their animals. My cats live in the lap of luxury and are very spoiled. If they were living outside in the wild they would probably have lots of diseases or be dead by now. There are some people who are abusive towards their pets. I think people who have been charged with abuse of pets should not be allowed to have another one until there is adequate evidence  they will not abuse again. I do feel some pets such as birds and snakes would be happier in the wild. Dogs and cats enjoy people!

Hi Emily and NW, I'd like to address a few of the comments you made. While most owners have good intentions in attempting to care for their pets, what qualifies as quality care? We decide what to feed them, if/when they receive health care, the amount of attention we give them, how much physical freedom they get and if/when they reproduce. Is commercial pet food healthy for pets? Do people have to decide between the continuation of their pets' lives and their money when they need serious medical attention? Do people walk their dogs their dogs enough or play with their cats whenever the cat demands? Are dogs and cats allowed to roam freely and satisfy their curiosities? And what do people do to address their pets' natural urges to reproduce?

Taking the animals' point of view, I'd say that humans routinely ignore the desires and needs of their pets in the interest of their own convenience. And in some cases, the conflict between human interests and those of pets is clearly working against pets. Their urges to roam and explore their surroundings are routinely thwarted, "to protect them" from harm.  Pets are routinely sterilized, again "to protect them" from overpopulation, yet their desire to explore their surroundings and reproduce is as natural as yours or mine. Yet we justify our treatment of these beings on the basis of "knowing what's good for them," not what's in their interest. This conflict of interests has no end to it.

If pet owners were so good for their pets, why are we "euthanizing" (read: murdering) nearly 10 million animals per year? This is according to the American Humane Association: http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_fact_sheets_animal_euthanasia

Humans are failing pets as a whole, although there are many caring people who try to do their best. Pets are the descendants of wild animals that depend on us for their care, yet we can't meet their basic needs because they conflict with our varied interests. The only way to address this isue in its entirety is to ask "are humans really good for pets" and "should we perpetuate their suffering?" When we answer this question honestly, we will acknowledge our failure and choose to liberate pets from the chains of cultural bondage. Abolition is the u;timate solution.