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

Honestly, that’s nonsense. The only thing dog lovers have in common is loving dogs. I’m assuming about twenty people will already have repeated that Hitler was a devoted dog owner throughout his life.

I just take people as I find them, most of the people that I know who don’t have animals are quite cold and unemotional

Oh ffs what a ridiculous statement.

So some halfwit that has a dangerous dog is a warmer more emotional person than someone who has no pets.

What about people that have pets but don't look after them properly are they still a better person than someone who knows their limits and doesn't have one

What about people who'd love a pet but either for health or housing reasons can't have one?? What category do they fit into

It's true though. Dog owners' homes smell of dog. What's wrong with pointing out that many of us like animals, but don't want to share our homes with any, one big reason being hygiene and the smell?

I love animals and creatures, I just don’t like the concept of domesticating animals. It goes against my morals. I also don’t visit zoos. I can’t bear to see any animal in a cage.

What nonsense.

There's a hell of a difference between having no feelings for other living creatures to not wanting a pet.

I've got no desire whatsoever to have a pet. I did however drive an hour to a bird sanctuary with an injured bird I'd found in my garden. I dont mind other people's dogs etc I just don't want one of my own. It DOESNT make me a bad person

It would be a red flag for me in friendships and relationships, as I have pets. 🤷‍♀️ I don’t care if people don’t want pets themselves, I totally get that - it’s a big responsibility. But if they actively dislike animals, or if there’s any chance they’ll be uptight and shitty about my cats, they’re certainly not coming round to my house, and we probably wouldn’t get on anyway.

Who the fuck is keeping a pet sheep? I think that's several layers more disturbing than having a cat. What's the point, unless you're planning to eat it?

I'm going back to the Dog House

Why are dog lovers the best people?

When we are saying 'pets', we are really meaning cats and dogs aren't we? Not pet sheep, pet ponies, pet pigs etc etc, which live in a field or yard? Or chickens which are pets and yet lay eggs for us to eat?

Lots of people don't like cats or dogs because they don't like having them in their faces. Do they have the same reaction to people who keep a Shetland pony in the paddock? Or two hand reared lambs that are now whopping great sheep in the garden?

Not liking pets is fine - each to their own and people with pets should respect your wishes and not impose their pet on you. Likewise a person who doesn’t like pets shouldn’t exclaim ‘I hate cats!’ when friend/ colleague talks about their pet - that’s just rude and disrespectful because obviously that cat brings them joy.

There’s one about 5 posts above the post I’m writing now!

I just take people as I find them, most of the people that I know who don’t have animals are quite cold and unemotional. Doesn’t mean I don’t like them but they’re definitely quite different people from the people who do have pets. Dog lovers are usually the best people (controversial I know)

I don’t have anything against animals, I just don’t want one living in my house.

@Xenobitch

People put crap like dog owners only have dogs because they want something to control, or dog owners are socially lacking somewhat.

@IfOnlyTheyWent

I have never seen these type of posts on MN.

There ya go @IfOnlyTheyWent there's one from such post from @itsallsohard that I have quoted!😆^

I love my dog dearly but couldn't care less if someone doesn't like pets and certainly don't think it makes them 'cold'. I could get on with them / be friends with them quite happily.

I don't believe you can really call yourself an animal lover unless you're vegan but that's a whole other thread I guess!

Exactly. People who hate animals/want to harm them I would steer clear of, but not people who simply CBA with pets. They are lovely to have (for many) but some people don't want the tie and the commitment and the expense. Even cats are a bit of a tie. You can't just buggar off for 3-4 days on a last minute deal break, you have to get a cat sitter, or get them in a cat hotel!

I think the kind of people who like pets are just people who can't deal with having friends who can disagree with them. They want pets so they have dependents they can control -- they want slaves.

No Brit will ever agree with me.

YABU after walking through the woods yesterday surrounded by dogs and the only non-dog owner I saw on my walk, I wasn't thinking anything warm and fuzzy. I love wild animals, domestic pets I do not love

There is a world of difference though, surely, between actively 'disliking' animals and not wanting to keep pets?

@coldfinch Are you veggie / vegan?

If not, why do you think that someone who is indifferent to a pet dog (but wishes it no harm) is a sociopath, but someone who eats animals that have been raised for slaughter on an industrial scale isn’t?

This is spot on.

Big animal lover here (have always had pets since befoew I was born). It wouldn't be a red flag if someone said they didn't like pets/animals, I would just know we wouldn't be well suited.

Can't fight back? Have you ever met dogs? This poor guy lives near me:www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/police-search-savage-dog-after-9677933

I think it depends on the humans involved. Like everything in life there are varying degrees. So long as people are reasonable and can see others point of view - isn’t that what sets humans apart from the rest of the animal world? Although not all humans are reasonable …..