Kitty ping
Doggie ping...
Snake ping...
What say the “Pet People” on this forum on this? Is it better they just have their pets as they would probably be terrible parents anyway? Or would they be terrible to their pets as well?
Well, one cannot tell if one can be a good or bad parent if one refuses to be one at all. And frankly, it also says nothing as to whether they will be responsible pet owners either.

Not everyone who wants children is able to have them, whether from inability to find that special someone to marry or from infertility. They still have a lot of love to give and don’t want to come home to an empty home. Thus, pets. It isn’t just a narcissistic move for those who want more time to party.
Being a terrible parent is not,a predictor of being a terrible pet owner.
Much harder to be a good parent and raise a good person. Having pets still teaches people about responsibility, taking care of a living thing, being dependable, and being able to grow in compassion and love.
Lots of kids may not have pets as kids, and generally dont have pets at college. Being this can help prep them for their kids in the future, i can see why some as adults get pets and are maybe 10-15 years behind other folks having children.
It could also be that they are barren.
Not everyone is fertile.

Selfishness is not the only reason for childlessness. That said, if it is a choice and both partners agree, then why would anyone knock them for making that decision?
If they would make terrible parents, they’d be terrible pet owners die the most part.
My boys are single, 1 has cats, 1 a lab puppy. And they are very well taken care of. Youngest 44 daughter is not married, has no intentions to, owns her own IT business, has a pampered dog.
We are seniors, don’t get to see the grands much, and have 2 dogs, 1 is 17, blind, hard of hearing, and has arthritis. 1 is 3 full of energy at 10 lbs. They are our babies and are treated as such. All our kids have pets, as do the great grands.