I have always loved pets and still do. I have had many in the past and I currently have my two boars, whom I love very very much and will never stop loving them. In my opinion, pets bring joy to an individuals life. There is even scientific research that they can help with numerous health problems. My boyfriend on the other hand does not agree with me. He is a strict vegan and believes in the well being of animals, which is why he believes having pets is inhuman. He was raised on a farm. He has raised animals, butchered animals, and (I guess) loved some. The animals on his farm were always free range. Even his dogs and cats. He asks me, how would I feel if I was kept in a cage all day? He mentions that keeping animals as pets is selfish and that animals are not meant to live this way. I make my guinea pigs life as comfortable, enjoyable and as stimulating as possible. They have plenty of room and copious amounts of food. In my opinion, it's better than starving and trying to survive in the wild. But, I look at my pigs and think of what my boyfriend had to say and I feel sad. I would never want to live in my house all day, walking around in my own feces etc... I love my boys a lot and my boyfriends opinion won't change the way I feel about them. Just wonder what you all think about his idea? I see his logic, but I don't see it as selfish.
It's important to remember that guinea pigs, as we know them, don't exist in the wild. Guinea pigs as we have them as pets are purely domestic animals created by humans. So, sure, if you are creating animals merely for your own companionship and enjoyment, yeah, that's selfish. If you're buying from a breeder instead of adopting or rescuing for companionship or for your enjoyment (which, realistically, is a purpose all pets serve -- we don't
need them, we aren't required to have them -- we
want them) then yes, he's right, it's selfish.
I can agree that it's selfish to keep an animal you will eventually kill and use as food, although I will say I have tremendous respect for those who can do that and think that if you aren't willing to kill the animal, you certainly shouldn't be willing to eat the animal, either. I'm actually disgusted by people who can happily go buy a slab of meat at a grocery store and never give a thought to the animal that gave its life to be his/her dinner, much less have any respect for that sacrifice. I also think it's a bit of a farce that this country is feeding its population with meat when grain is so much more economical, practical, and much less expensive and far less damaging to the environment, but that's another topic altogether.
However. When there are domestic pets being euthanized due to lack of space, and you have the room and resources and desire to have one of those animals as pets, no I don't think it's selfish and think it's far more damaging to hold onto that belief that it's "selfish" while animals die, largely because of problems other people create, when you want a dog or cat or guinea pig or other pet and can and want to give it a good life.
Humans are selfish in all kinds of ways the world over, keeping companion animals is no exception, but it's worth remembering that that "selfishness" is negated somewhat by rescuing and saving a life or lives that otherwise might face euthanasia or a far less happy existence if you don't give them a home.