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

I personally do judge people who don’t like animals, especially pets. I wouldn’t date someone who couldn’t see pleasure in living creatures. If people tell me they hate dogs and cats, yes I will judge them for that. I’m sure people judge me for loving dogs, each to their own, but sorry yes it does send a signal to me when someone says that

I like animals well enough, as long as I don't have to get too close to them. I was bitten in the face by a black poodle when I was a toddler and, although I don't remember the incident, I'm very wary of animals - dogs in particular.

I'm not a "cold" person at all.

I personally see it as a red flag simply because in my experience animals are nothing but love... but I get it if you've had bad experiences with animals or come from a culture where they're treated differently.

I like animals and part of me would love a pet, but I know I wouldn’t be around enough and I don’t want the responsibility. Judging by the dog breeds they choose, the complete ignorance about the needs of their pet and the life some of their animals have, I think many pet owners don’t like animals as much as I do. A lot of people get pets for entirely selfish reasons.

@MasterBeth that is so fucked up. A sheep is an animal that can have a personality same as any other. But because it's not a designated pet animal, you say "what's the point, unless you're planning to eat it?"

Do you eat animals?

@sprigatito and I'd just like to add that if you consume animal products like meat or milk you don't give a shit about the creatures you share the world with either, only the fluffy cute ones right in front of you.

We share the world with many other creatures who are not pets.

Also the "I love my dog but hate other people" sentiment is frequently trotted out by pet lovers and usually lolled and praised. That's a lot of animal lovers hating their fellow beings with whom they share the world.

It depends though, some people react to dogs and cats like they’re causing all the problems of the world, so that’s more if you’re that angry upset about an animal then there’s a chance that’s your personality so that is a red flag really!!

I’m not overly fond of animals. I would never harm one and find people who do to be appalling. I don’t think it makes me cold to have no particular interest in animals.

It’s a bit like not particularly liking children yet being horrified by child abuse cases. You don’t have to have kids or have warm feelings towards all children to not want to see them harmed and to think they should be properly cared for.

I think it is a red flag in a friend or partner, mainly because somebody who isn't a pet person just won't understand the lifestyle of the pet person.

For example my life is currently all about my 3 geriatric dogs. Everything except work comes second to their needs.
A fellow pet person will understand the mess, disruption, feeding schedules, lack of holidays, vet visits,etc. They would share an interest in my pets and I'd be I terested in theirs.

Somebody who didn't like pets might not understand why we can't go on holiday, why plans might be cancelled, why my house has dog hairs on things.

Whilst pets aren't furbabies they are as integral to people's daily lives as actual children and often non pet people just don't understand that.

Cats and dogs, and many other animals, have been taken from their natural environments and domesticated by humans for thousands of years. Now, I don’t really think that’s right , but it’s happened and so letting domesticated animals turn feral again is also not the answer. But I agree the whole concept of pets has become another way of extracting money from consumers for financial benefit, at the cost of animal welfare and the environment.

It’s quite a stretch to go from not loving animals to ‘no feelings’ though, isn’t it? I like animals, but not enough to want them in my house or slobbering all over me.

Jeez. That's a bit of a reach. The OP said 'not liking pets' - not having no feelings for other living creatures.

We've got pets, I love/like them. I'm not overly fussed about other people's pets generally and I think it's fine to not like having animals as pets.

I personally hate pets. I understand why other people have them and I don't judge people. But I could never own a pet. I find the whole idea of it repulsive.
I love wild animals and I'm a vegetarian. I'm also a hiker and spend a lot of time outdoors in nature.
I just would never want a pet in my home. It would make me sad and uncomfortable. The whole concept of it makes me uncomfortable.
But I totally get the love they bring to some people's lives.
It's just not for me.
There's perhaps an element of it where I shy away from being depended upon or needed as I have many people in my life who depend on me and need me so I am at my limit if what I have to give.
There also may be some projsction regarding my udeas about freedom and feeling enslaved or diverted from your true nature..
its definitely not that im a cold person.

There are terrible terrible people out there who say they are animal lovers and there are terrible terrible people out there who dislike or are ambivalent towards animals.
It means literally nothing about someone's character because there's loads of different reasons why people might feel that way or have come to these conclusions. You can't tell from someone calling themselves an animal lover alone whether they are a good or bad person.

YANBU I once read an article about Trump being an obvious red flag for not owning a dog like other presidents.

I’m certainly no Trump supporter but that’s ironic considering Biden did own a dog and let that dog bite multiple staff before letting it go.

Is Biden the more decent empathetic person because he kept a pet despite the fact it was one that routinely attacked people? Interesting that being an irresponsible dog owner isn’t seen as a red flag but just not owning one is!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68366306.amp

FTR yeah I believe Biden is a better more decent person than trump 🚩 but we can see that through observing what each of them says and does. It’s irrelevant if they own a dog or not!

Out of interest - you’d prefer packs of dogs running free round the parks? And cats sleeping in the cold covered in fleas? I’m asking as I’m curious and I’m trying to understand this specific point of view.

As a PP suggests pet owners ‘want slaves’ I can assure you that certainly with my cat it’s much more the other way around. I’m the cats personal maid - I am trained to supply her meaty food, let her out when she demands it - let her back in 3 secs later because it’s raining and she actually doesn’t want to get wet. Hell I’ll even pop the fire on when it’s cold to make sure she’s toasty warm. And at 7pm each evening both cat and dog inform me it’s supper time and I must obey my masters and get them a treat.

But I’d rather have all that than think of them roaming around with little food, covered in fleas (natural and from wildlife), with sore skin into bites, or having a dodgy tum because of eating dead rodents.

Im not sure if I’d enjoy wild dogs roaming free myself. But I’m interested in others views.

I don’t like any additional responsibility in any shape or form. Pets are responsibility therefore I don’t like pets 🤷🏻‍♀️I don’t mind others people’s pets as long as they don’t affect me

A much bigger red flag to me is people who refer to their pets as "Fur Babies".

A friend's wife refers to one of her long-dead dogs on Facebook as her "first born"...she has two actual children!!

Not in a funny/cute/ironic way either - her actual kids don't speak to her anymore 😅

It would put me off someone if they said they actively hated animals. I do get that some people are scared of dogs, and even cats. Which can't really be helped.

I've a dear friend who is/was scared of cats. She is convinced that they'll jump on her with their claws out without any reason or warning. My little kitten came and sat on her handbag at one point! She actually warmed to him after that and I'm happy to say she seems to tolerate them politely now. Even becoming quite fond.

Also some people have allergies.
As for exotic pets, I'd imagine the majority of people might not be crazy on snakes, spiders etc. so if someone might not want to keep pets themselves then that's understandable. As long as they wouldn't want to harm or be cruel to a pet of someone else's.

I do seem to get on better with animal lovers than those without pets. But that seems organic rather than planned.

You don't like dogs. That is fine.
Just no need to hate on dog owners. My dog saved my life. Don't be a dick about it.

If all we had to contend with were service dogs, that would be a manageable amount, because there aren't that many genuine ones around (don't get me started on the fake ones with the Amazon vests). The issue is now so many people take their pets to shops and eateries, it is nigh on inescapable.

Of course some people smell. Most people don't smell too badly though, for the most part. We have showers, and deodorant, and brush our teeth. We can't go through life without humans. I expect to encounter them. We don't need to add dogs to the mix.

Anyway, you are boring me now, with your dog obsession.

I’m a lovely person, who has zero interest in animals.

YANBU I once read an article about Trump being an obvious red flag for not owning a dog like other presidents.

I find that a lot of animal lovers adore their pets but happily eat meat and dairy products. All animals should be treated well but some species are clearly more special than others for this kind of person.

I don’t have the time or inclination to look after a pet so wouldn’t have one and I think that it’s best that people who aren’t interested, don’t get a pet for the sake of it. There are already too many owners who shouldn’t have pets in the first place.

You're right, it's just personal preference and nothing more.
YANBU.

What about people who don't like or enjoy children?
Doesn't make them cold people or raise red flags either.
We're all entitled to preferences surely?