I understand where you are coming from in a situation like that. It seems that her priorities are mixed up. Sounds like she has the money but would rather spend it on other things. In that case, bill them more! lol j/k Seriously though, you would think that pure live beings are more important than materialistic things. (if she was in fact buying materialistic things on ebay, maybe she was buying meds or needed items to live or the like? Unlikely but it could happen)
Some situations are different though. It hurts me quite a bit to know that there are those that will be a better owner than those with money, yet (s)he is unable to have one due to the cost of care. Just because they have no money they have no right to experience true love & devotion that a pet can provide? It makes no sense. Or to have enough money to cover their complete care & emegencies if they arrise but then something so big hits that their once "appropriate" vet fund and makes it very difficult to treat after spending a lot.
I think it's pretty much a case by case basis, taking different views into consideration I guess.