[Red in Blue PA]

one would even waste the time and resources to maintain “pets”.

One could insert "elderly", "affirm" and many other things for "pets". People who have animals understand.

[wku man]

Exactly. If nothing else, pets will provide a little needed levity in a crisis. Those of us who are attached to our pets understand. Even if they're nothing more than my two parrots (for whom I've laid in a year's supply of seeds and pellets, and am continually adding to), they're part of the family. Any slimebag who wants to make soup out of my little buddies will suffer horribly for it.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!