Woman branded a ‘bad person’ after insisting pet owners shouldn’t take on ‘life-changing medical debt’ on behalf of their animals

From adorable cubs to cuddly kittens, animals are valued members of many families, with many owners claiming they would do anything for their furry friends.

So when they are faced with an unexpected illness or injury, it can be a really difficult time for everyone involved. Owners are being forced to pay thousands of pounds in vet bills, with some even going abroad to avoid sky-high costs.

A furious debate has been sparked on social media after a woman insisted pet owners should not take on ‘life-changing medical debt’ on behalf of an animal.

The X user (formerly Twitter) from Cleveland, Ohio, passing by @realgirl_fieridecided to share her controversial stance on the subject – which has left many people unhappy.

The tweet, which was posted yesterday, has already been seen by more than 7.2 million people and has garnered 700 replies.

Expanding on his point, the American added: ‘If it’s an option to move back in with a family that can more easily afford care, it’s a good option!

“But potentially permanently changing your own financial situation for a pet is never a good idea.”

Some pet owners agreed, with one writing: ‘Oh girl you will be crucified for this but you are right.’

Another laughed: ‘Someone put up flyers in Manhattan with a link to a GoFundMe for their dog’s brain cancer treatment with a picture of the dog that is obviously old. I think they might need to hear this.’

Meanwhile, a third chimed in: ‘Years ago I would have SO disagreed, but now after so many cat and dog rescues I’m starting to agree with you. Vets can be absolutely vicious with over-testing and making you feel guilty.’

One person who had struggled with the tough dilemma himself admitted: ‘Amen! They thought our dog probably had a brain tumor because he was showing all the signs, but it would be $6,000 to find out and unfortunately no.’

Another reasoned: ‘I didn’t take on debt but I spent $6k rescuing our dog in February.

‘It was an emergency surgery situation and my heart was winning. I don’t regret it, but it was a huge hit to my savings and I wouldn’t judge anyone for making a different choice.’

Another user argued: ‘Life-changing medical debt for animals – and HUMANS – just shouldn’t exist. People should NOT be forced to give up their pets because they cannot afford to treat them.’

However, some people were outraged by the controversial opinion, calling her a ‘bad person’ and demanding she never have a pet.

One owner noted: ‘If you’re not prepared to cover the cost and you don’t take out insurance, you don’t deserve your pet.’

Another wrote: ‘If you are the type of person who would rather let their animal die than try to find medical help, never get a pet.

‘When you get an animal, you accept that at some point it will have health problems and need care. If you don’t want that responsibility, don’t get one. Simple.’

Others simply wrote: ‘You should never have a pet’ and ‘I don’t care. Money comes and goes, a friend is forever.’

‘You shouldn’t get a pet without pet insurance’ and ‘You should say that on National Pet Day?’ joked X users.

Another pet owner wrote: ‘I spent 10,000 to keep my dog ​​alive. I would never regret it. Don’t have animals if you can’t afford to look after them’.

‘There is so much I want to say here, but I don’t want to. You are entitled to your opinion. But I just want to put it simply. Respectively NO’ added another angry owner.

The heated debate comes just after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned that pet owners may be paying too much at the vet for their animals’ medication, prescriptions and care.

The CMA’s review found that consumers may not be getting enough information – including price lists – to help them choose the best practice and treatment for their pets.

Caitlin Dolan, 25, told how her cat, named Precious, died because she could not ‘even begin to pay’ the £3,000 bill she was offered for tests and treatments.

Mrs Dolan, who took her cat to the vet because it seemed lethargic, told the BBC the ’emotional toll’ of not being able to afford the bill was ‘unbelievable’.

“We couldn’t even afford it. The emotional toll was incredible,” she said.

Mrs Dolan added that the vets were ‘not really willing’ to tell her what was wrong with her cat ‘without going through £3,000 worth of tests and treatment’.

Meanwhile, a cat owner told MailOnline they were ‘outraged’ after being offered £5,000 for an operation on their tabby, who had a broken leg after she was hit by a car, as their insurance only covered £ 4,000.