To think that people who don’t like pets shouldn’t be judged as “cold”?

I feel like this sometimes. They are the hugest tie aren’t they? I can’t even have a day trip out because I have that many animals that I can’t leave all day. Horses, cats, dogs here too.
I love my dogs but I don’t think I’ll replace them when they go.

I love animals. We have dogs, cats and horses. But as I've got older I've become less convinced I want them or as many.
When someone tells me they aren't keen on domestic animals or don't want them at home. I get it. And I'm slightly envious!
If someone actively hated animals I would probably avoid them. I can't really understand 'hating' animals though or being indifferent to their suffering.

Yes but that’s not a dislike because of some deep rooted prejudice.

I don't have pets because they don't fit in with my job or lifestyle.
In short I care too much about them to subject them to what would be poor and abusive living conditions.

My ex always has pets, but then she is the one that has left/abandoned pets at the drop of a hat. And she is the one that claims to love them so much.

Having pets is by no means an indication of being a good/warm person.

Animals are pure souls. They couldn’t care less what you look like or who you voted or whether you’re fat or thin or have acne or are disfigured. Dogs in particular will show the most incredible loyalty, with no caveats. We could learn a hell of a lot from them, but alas, we never do.

I don’t think that’s all completely true. There was a thread on here once entitled something like “racist dogs” and it was basically filled with stories of people who owned dogs that didn’t like men who were black, women who were white, men who were bald, women who wore headscarves, very fat people and even some said in that thread or another thread
“ autistic people” (as if they could sense they were “different” somehow?? Dunno! ) the list went on… and these were all dog owners reporting this about their own or family pets btw! So not some “dog hater” thread.

The thing is dogs can be very unpredictable and can take a “dislike” / develop fear based aggression etc to people out of the blue.

To be clear, the thread title was more clickbait no one was seriously arguing that the dogs are actually racist /sexist in the sense of being filled with malice against certain races, gender etc but they can and do respond to people very differently on sight.

@Vinni8 You clearly interpreted the OP headline in your own ways - it reads “people who DON’T LIKE pets”. This is quite a different statement to not “caring” for pets.

Whilst I see your point let’s stick to the topic raised by the OP and not your variation of what was meant.

Perhaps a lot of people are just indifferent towards animals, and wouldn't have the slightest interest in having any pets. They are fine.

The ones I have trouble with are the sort of people who actively hate animals, to the point of aggression towards them. There's something amiss with them. I had the misfortune of having a bunch of friends meet round at my house once, before we all went on a night out. I had several cats at the time, and one so-called friend said "I fucking hate cats. If that comes near me, I'll fucking kick it". Nasty man. Very nasty.

Animals might not have the intelligence of humans, but with intelligence comes sly and nasty behaviour. Humans will bitch about you behind your back while being nice to your face. Humans will judge you based on your appearance, your views, your clothing choices, your education, your political leanings.

Animals are pure souls. They couldn’t care less what you look like or who you voted or whether you’re fat or thin or have acne or are disfigured. Dogs in particular will show the most incredible loyalty, with no caveats. We could learn a hell of a lot from them, but alas, we never do.

So yeh, some people might say that humans are the higher beings because of their superior intelligence… but I’m afraid I strongly disagree.

Exactly. Categorising people based on just one preference is such an odd and reductive thing to do. People are about more than one small lifestyle choice.

They are grooming themselves- keeping themselves clean.

Do humans not need training to perform certain jobs?

I’ve seen assistance dogs act with more intelligence (and empathy) than some human carers.

And it is, as always, the self described animal lovers who are the unhinged ones.

Something I've always noticed over many years.

This thread is absolutely batshit!

Where have I said I live in a pet-free world? I grew up with pets, and although I don't have any in adulthood because I don't want to be tied down by caring for them and not being able to go away for the day or the weekend at the drop of a hat, I walked a friend's difficult dog daily for a year.

And yes, exactly to both your posts, @TarantinoIsAMisogynist. Similarly, I was contentedly childfree till the age of 40 (as in, not planning to have a child at all). When I did have a child, I didn't suddenly have a personality transplant. I was myself, just with a child, just as, if I suddenly decided I wanted a pet and acquired one, I would be the same self, just with a pet.

There are plenty of pet-owning sociopaths out there too though. That's my point - it doesn't actually tell you anything about a person.

It's pet owners that keep puppy farms in business, and who are responsible for the dogs that kill people.

I mean, there will be psychopaths who wear red hats, but that doesn't mean everyone who wears a red hat is a psychopath.

TBF a parrot is as bright as a three year old child so.....🤔

Im happy to leave the pet dislikers in peace. I do understand where they are coming from. Personally I cant stand kids...they are loud, grabby, messy, annoying and I just dont get the appeal (if I wanted a different virus every month Id lick the floor of a Drs waiting room!).
I dont wish them harm and appreciate they have every right to live their lives. I just want them to do it far, far away from me!

Sometimes it is a red flag though... a friend of mine had a boyfriend who disliked and resented her cats. He didnt like pets of any kind and didnt see why she had to spend her time nursing her sick cat rather then go out with him.
After she had her cat PTS he actually said 'I dont see why you are so upset...its just a cat!'.
Needless to say he was shown the door shortly afterwards!
So not all people who dont own pets are sociopaths....but some are!😂

Quite apart from anything else, some of the offenders need urgent access to a dictionary.

Paranoia? People who don't own pets have been called "sociopaths" on this thread. It's not unreasonable to take issue with that.

It was humour.

There is no projection here, just a lot of paranoia.

Anyway, I'm done with it. Have fun in your pet-free world.

I agree.

The same also applies in reverse. The only thing pet owners have in common is that they have decided to own a pet. It doesn't tell you anything about their character.

There's a lot of weird projection onto 'anti-pet' people happening on this thread.

I'll say it again. The only thing that people who don't have pets living with them have in common is that they don't have pets living with them. They are as likely to be overflowing with the milk of human kindness as they are to be hatchet-faced villains pulling the wings off flies.

@MasterBeth is modelling herself on a cat that plays with a mouse before killing it.
I'm modelling myself on an annoying puppy that won't leave people alone.

We all have our role models.

I was saying it tongue in cheek, hence the toothy emoji. Sadly, I forgot again that anti-pet people don't understand humour/sarcasm...🙄

And before I'm accused of hypocrisy, yes, my dog does eat meat so I do know I'm supporting the meat industry 😞

I never said they were, and I don't treat them like children because they weigh more than I do, so that would be pretty stupid.
They certainly never go to a beauty parlour or a cafe; they mostly get walked on the Pennine moors. I let them be who they are and they don't bother anyone, they're very independent, calm and quiet.
I have a bond with them and I love them but they aren't "furbabies", I respect their role as a working dog so I don't crate them as puppies.

Like I said earlier, not all dogs are the same and not all owners treat their dog like a baby. An important member of the family, yes, but they don't all smell of perfume and eat cake 🙄

Sure, but I assume @bluebeach ’s point is that the person who does all those things and doesn’t have pets is not any less of an animal-lover than the person who does those things and does have pets. And, conversely, owning a pet is no evidence someone loves animals.