With respect to the question at hand, I am against the notion that pets should be allowed to live in cities. Very briefly, the arguments against this proposition would be the fact that most cities, especially major ones, are extremely unhealthy places for pets to live in. Also, as cost of living is very high in cities, pet-owners would be incurring the financial burden of maintaining a pet in the city. Additionally, many cities are increasingly experiencing the problem of stray animals, which is both hazardous and costly to residents of cities. The follow parts of the essay shall aim to discuss the aforementioned points in further detail.
Cities are an extremely unhealthy place for pets to live in. From poor air and noise quality to extremely limited spacing - these are just some of the characteristics of living conditions which are not suitable for pets to live in. For example, New York City is one of the most polluted cities in the world with an air pollution index as high as 291, with 100 being the acceptable score. Save for those pets who do not need to go outdoors as part of their routine, those who require will incur the risks of contracting respiratory problems.
In relation to the aforementioned point, in the event that pets do contract respiratory diseases and whatnot, the cost of treating it will be equally as damaging to pet-owners' financial condition as it is to their pets' health. Furthermore, other maintainance costs apart from medication includes food and hygiene products, which can be relatively more expensive than, say, out-of-city areas.
Secondly, as city space is extremely limited, it is plausible to assert that every usable piece of land will be expensive. Rent rates for a regular single bedroom in major cities like London, for instance, can be as exorbitant as three hundred pounds per week. Not only is space a problem, but to allow pets to live in such costly cities is an additional financial burden to pet-owners. Furthermore, the long term effect of pets living in such confined areas will ultimately be detrimental to their mental and psychological wellbeing.
Major cities, in many parts of the world, are increasingly facing the problem of stray animals. This is caused by a few factors but mainly by the fact that, many pet-owners often lose their pets and were never able to retrieve them. As a result, these lost pets roam the streets of cities, feeding themselves off dustbins and living in various parts of the city. Cities like Kuala Lumpur, for instance, have seen the proliferation of stray cats and dogs on busy city streets. The effect of this occurrence is not only hazardous to vehicle drivers but also to young children who unsuspectingly play with these animals who happen to be in places like playgrounds and school compounds. Apart from health factors, it is also expensive to society. Money will be needed by the local council to subjugate, capture and detain these animals, thus, costing the local residents.
Pets should not be allowed to live in cities because of the unhealthy living conditions; furthermore, the scarcity of space, as well as, safety factors and financial implications to the residents is seen as obstacles against this notion.
