It's good to have the animals at home. And it can be seriously a good to have people around if the animals are not to be around in that way. I have found out that company of animals often needed to get over the loneliness.
Yes some people should really not have them, as is the same with kids and other people too. Knowing what comes with it is a big part of the deal.
I prefer animal companions (I have 4 cats) than human ones, since people tend to betray you or do you harm, and family and friends are no exception to that.
How quick they are to realize what they have gotten into too. It is important to stress that part of it as much as you can but still some will not listen.