Ethics and environment
Can vegans keep pets?
Short answer
Yes. Adopting from a shelter fits the ethic. Cats are obligate carnivores — vegan cat food is contested and risky; dogs are more flexible, but the call should come from a vet, not an ideology.
Buying pedigree breeds with known health defects clashes with vegan ethics more than living with a dog. Adoption beats a pet shop.
Food: cats need taurine, among other things. Vegan cat foods add it synthetically, but whether such a diet is safe for cats is still disputed. Do not experiment on a cat to prove a point – decide with a vet.