this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
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Pre-owned and pre-loved can both get in the bin. Second hand is definitely my preferred term, which I also use for pets. I really think "rescued" should only be used if you actually did more than walk in to a shelter and hand over cash.
"Thrifting" is mostly just an annoying Americanism that has no place in Australia. I will accept op-shopping as an alternative. Shopping for cheap things makes me think more Reject Shop than second-hand.
I didn't rescue my cat or my old dog; they were rescued by other people. I just adopted them.
I mean, I don't mind the term "rescue cat" but I'd avoid it personally, as I had no hand in their rescue.
I don't like the term "bought" when referring to a pet adoption, as I feel that it is too close to possession and property (and while that is the case when it comes to the law, from a personal view animals are sentient and "buying" them I feel reduces their autonomy - again just personal preference, I don't care if other people say they bought their pet). My pets have all been integrals parts of my family units, and therefore I prefer "adoption".
Adopted… kidnapped… shanghaied… joined the crew… enlisted… became a ward/charge… got distributed (ie. Cat Distribution System )… live in companion working for board 😂
Legally it's ownership and pets are possessions. It's a difficult thing to regulate, how do we recognise human and animal relationships and how do we make humans responsible for their care and well being.
Maybe guardianship is a better way to think of it.
I disagree with the word adoption, animals are humans and it's dangerous to equate animals with humans as they have different needs.
I agree on the metaphysical aspect, animals own their own lives.
I tend to refer to my pets as staff. And as a good employer I have a duty of care, including a safe workplace and conditions.
But then I refer to inanimate objects as staff too, so I'm probably just weird 🤣
Totes agree on the rescue pets. Both my guys were rescued by other people, Bill rescued from the streets and Ted from a neglectful cat farm, and then I bought them.
I like op-shopping. I think thrifting was coined because Americans are very class and money conscious. Here op shops are traditionally about supporting your community and there is no shame in that.
I think there used to be shame in going to op shops, but it has become much more acceptable now. Definitely when I was a kid it was something used to tease other people about, as it was seen as a mark of poverty.
Mr Woof came from the streets, but I'm not sure if he'd see it as a rescue or as being kidnapped while he was out looking for ladies.
Next minute...
I was definitely bullied for my op-shop clothes at Brighton Beach Primary School. East Bentleigh tech was more relaxed.
Out of curiosity, is it a rescue if you look after the pets while the owner is in hospital and then adopt them directly when the old owner enters palliative care? Then sort out a lot of vet care?
It doesn’t matter but I’ve always wondered how to answer in a short way how I got Melbcat.
Technically I still adopted her. Rescue to me always sounded like literally rescuing a pet from a storm drain or dog fights and rehabilitating them
I'd still probably go with re-homed for that. Rescue to me definitely implies doing a bit more.
I know someone who drove to a dodgy area to collect a dog which was being starved in a backyard because it's owner was in prison, and I'd definitely say by doing that she rescued the dog. Other times the pet may have been rescued, like a chicken that was retrieved from a tree in Chinatown by the fire brigade. In which case it is reasonable to refer to them as a rescue chicken, but that doesn't mean the person who then gives them a home should get credit for the rescue, they have still just re-housed a rescued animal.
Yeah, rescue implies some pretty exceptional circumstances
maybe it's middle class people rescuing a pet from a working class area /family/existence s/
gonna go home and tell me kelpie he is second hand. I like adopted, just cause I get a lot of questions about the lack of a family resemblance. Seriously, I look nothing like a working dog.