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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we could ban pets and use these instead

119 replies

Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 12:15

No, its not the exact same thing as owning a pet. But...
I absolutely love animals amd totally understand the value of having them but am increasingly feeling like theres something wrong about actually "owning" an animal. I also hate how anyone can just go out and buy a life like that.
What if the AI on these things got super advanced and we just made living pet ownership illegal?

To think we could ban pets and use these instead
To think we could ban pets and use these instead
OP posts:
Bacarditropicalfizz · 15/08/2026 14:20

InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing · 15/08/2026 14:20

I don’t own my cat, she owns me.

This is a very good point. I just pay the mortgage and my two cats let me live here.

Original poster
Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:20

TeaAndALittlePeace · 15/08/2026 14:16

Of all the virtue nonsense I’ve seen on here, this takes the biscuit. FFS OP. Are you being serious?

Im confused as to why you're so bewildered.
You realise huge numbers of pets live in abuse and neglect right?

OP posts:
Bacarditropicalfizz · 15/08/2026 14:20

WerewolfOfLoudon · 15/08/2026 14:11

Robotic pets have existed for years @Freinddilemma. PARO was invented in 1993. AIBO started in the late 90s and has/had several models.

Tamagotchis and Furbies and FurReals and an entire range of virtual pets have existed for years.

Pet ownership has increased. Robotic therapy pets are great for companionship for people who are unable to care for an animal.

Why not replace children with robots too? Since you think extinction of entire species is acceptable.

Breeding your own children and not selling them is completely different to the over breeding of animals for financial gain.

InQuiresandplaceswheretheysing · 15/08/2026 14:20

I don’t own my cat, she owns me.

blythet · 15/08/2026 14:19

Sounds like a furry tamagotchi

WerewolfOfLoudon · 15/08/2026 14:18

murasaki · 15/08/2026 14:03

Well I managed to kill all my Sims.

My cats on the other hand, have been with me for well over a decade and are meticulously cared for, adored, and seem to tolerate me well enough.

How many of those Sims were murdered? 😂Drowned without a pool ladder, electrocuted from repairing the TV with no mechanical skills or running with scissors just so you could play Rock, Paper, Scissors with the Grim Reaper.

A couple of my cats would (should) be able to vote - they definitely wouldn't vote for the Greens that want them banned.

TeaAndALittlePeace · 15/08/2026 14:16

Of all the virtue nonsense I’ve seen on here, this takes the biscuit. FFS OP. Are you being serious?

YeOldeGreyhound · 15/08/2026 14:14

Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:12

I think dogs would be happier living wild in packs

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Say you know nothing about dogs without saying you know nothing about dogs.

Original poster
Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:12

PaperPanama · 15/08/2026 14:09

Why not? It’s symbiotic relationship.

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I think dogs would be happier living wild in packs

OP posts:
WerewolfOfLoudon · 15/08/2026 14:11

Robotic pets have existed for years @Freinddilemma. PARO was invented in 1993. AIBO started in the late 90s and has/had several models.

Tamagotchis and Furbies and FurReals and an entire range of virtual pets have existed for years.

Pet ownership has increased. Robotic therapy pets are great for companionship for people who are unable to care for an animal.

Why not replace children with robots too? Since you think extinction of entire species is acceptable.

UniquePinkSwan · 15/08/2026 14:11

SirenScream · 15/08/2026 12:36

Or you could stop eating meat and save a few animals from a life of torture?

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No thanks. I value my health

PaperPanama · 15/08/2026 14:09

Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:00

No you cant I agree but I don't believe animals should exist to improve our lives

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Why not? It’s symbiotic relationship.

BusyExpert · 15/08/2026 14:05

You do you, I personally dislike the need to control what others do intensely

murasaki · 15/08/2026 14:03

Well I managed to kill all my Sims.

My cats on the other hand, have been with me for well over a decade and are meticulously cared for, adored, and seem to tolerate me well enough.

GoldenPineapple15 · 15/08/2026 14:03

I’ll keep my beautiful dog , than you . After the death of my children, she has lifted a darkness that nothing else could . I have seen sunsets and sunrises and a thousand beautiful things which I would have missed if I had stayed locked away in my house. She makes me laugh and I can talk to total strangers on walks - now because the chat is safe - our lovely dogs and not delving deeper .

HexInductionHour · 15/08/2026 14:03

And we can ban cars and use these instead
https://mediahub.debenhams.com/m7984701766140_red_xl.jpeg?qlt=70&w=549&ssz=true&dpr=2

YeOldeGreyhound · 15/08/2026 14:02

Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:00

No you cant I agree but I don't believe animals should exist to improve our lives

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She didn't just improve mine. She saved it, and I saved hers.

ilovesooty · 15/08/2026 14:01

Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:00

No you cant I agree but I don't believe animals should exist to improve our lives

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They're a privilege, a joy and a responsibility.

Original poster
Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 14:00

YeOldeGreyhound · 15/08/2026 13:59

My dog was a rescue, and she was my companion for over 15 years. She made me get out the house, accompanied me on holidays, and gave me years and years of memories that I will always cherish.
You can't have any of that with what you are suggesting.

No you cant I agree but I don't believe animals should exist to improve our lives

OP posts:
Iheartmysmart · 15/08/2026 14:00

My little rescue cat wouldn’t have survived if I hadn’t taken her in. She was found at about 6 weeks old with a severe case of cat flu and no sign of mum. I took her home with the view that I would make her last few days comfortable as she wasn’t expected to survive.

A year later, I’ve got a feisty and very small cat who is prone to respiratory problems but otherwise absolutely fine. I don’t believe I own her, she’s my little buddy and I adore her. Not sure a pretend pet would be the same.

ilovesooty · 15/08/2026 13:59

My cats came from rescue. They're neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. I live on my own and they give me a lot of joy. When I go away they're looked after responsibly and I factor in that cost. I'm not interested in one of those inanimate things as a substitute.

YeOldeGreyhound · 15/08/2026 13:59

My dog was a rescue, and she was my companion for over 15 years. She made me get out the house, accompanied me on holidays, and gave me years and years of memories that I will always cherish.
You can't have any of that with what you are suggesting.

YeOldeGreyhound · 15/08/2026 13:56

LaurieFairyCake · 15/08/2026 13:42

It’s really funny that people go on about dog poo, I personally find that the easiest thing about having dogs

People who don't like dogs seem to have a strange fixation on their poo and bums. It comes up on every thread like this.

Original poster
Freinddilemma · 15/08/2026 13:55

Bacarditropicalfizz · 15/08/2026 13:52

We should ban breeding for cash.

Rescue pets need homes, and cats breed like wildfire when left un-spayed roaming the streets.

It would take generations but yes if we banned breeding, that combined with legally required neutering/spaying would see pets phased out

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 15/08/2026 13:55

SirenScream · 15/08/2026 12:36

Or you could stop eating meat and save a few animals from a life of torture?

Show quote history

Why would it have to be one or the other?