I will not get things I want or need for myself when I need something for my pets.

All the more reason to adopt pets instead of buying them. Avoid buying animals from pet stores!

The only pets I have ever bought at a pet store were fish.

Our pets come before us as well tanyamm. I believe that when one gets a pet, no matter where that little creature ranks in the scale of evolution one is responsible for everything in one's power regarding the pet/companion's welfare for its entire lifetime. And no slacking off because it may be inconvenient

My partner and myself try our best to apply the "Golden Rule" to every sentient being that is in our care, and those we rescue from time to time.

Well said. This world would be a far better place if more people had the sense of responsibility all of you have. Thats the way it is supposed to be.

There's been disturbing news recently about the San Francisco SPCA shifting away from its previous, much-respected no-kill policy to one of much quicker and possibly sometimes unnecessary euthanasia.

What's driving it?

They need funds to build a new SPCA building, apparently.

Great. "Let's kill the dogs and cats we've got in now, even if somebody could adopt them and rehabilitate their behavior, so we can get a spiffy new building and... um... have more space for more dogs and cats?"

Grrr.