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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dislike all animals?

253 replies

PineappleFwitters · 02/10/2016 09:32

I've never liked animals. From the time I was a child, probably due to a dog chasing me at age 4. Dogs, cats, birds, farm animals, I don't like being around them and don't like them near me. I have no interest in seeing videos of funny cats or dogs in YouTube either.

However, when I tell people I don't like animals, they look at me like I should be committed! Or worse, they think I advocate cruelty to animals, which couldn't be further from the truth. I would never try to injure an animal - I'm a vegan FFS - I just don't like being around them.

Am I really that unusual?

OP posts:
luckylavender · 02/10/2016 10:02

I don't like animals either. I don't like the smell, the mess and the unpredictability. I wouldn't hurt them but would be happy never to have to come across another one.

MrsJayy · 02/10/2016 10:04

Not keen on birds oh and goats I hate goats nippy things

Crispsheets · 02/10/2016 10:04

I tolerate cats .
I admire animals like elephants, tigers etc and enjoy a good wildlife programme. But don't want to be near domestic animals particularly.

WeirdAndPissedOff · 02/10/2016 10:04

I'm a huge animal lover, but if someone doesn't like animals, that's fine with me.
I can't understand why it wouldn't be, or why it would make someone less trustworthy?

I do think it's not very common (so unusual in that sense) - or perhaps it is and no-one dares admit it?
I know several people who dislike children, and as in your experience I think that seems to be more acceptable.

Kpo58 · 02/10/2016 10:06

I love animals, but I don't like the owners of badly trained pets.

It not polite to let your pet jump up, lick or bite you, in the same way you don't let small children do the same thing.

Redglitter · 02/10/2016 10:06

Not an animal lovers either but I cannot for the life of me figure out why that means I shouldn't be trusted or someone would be wary of me. That's just ridiculous.

formerbabe · 02/10/2016 10:07

There is nothing more beautiful than the unconditional love a dog has for its owner

There's plenty of more beautiful things than that. And I question the notion of unconditional 'love' from an animal. Does that even exist?

Runny · 02/10/2016 10:08

Dogs definitely love their owners unconditionally. They are conditioned over thousands of years to do so!

limitedperiodonly · 02/10/2016 10:08

How often do people ask you if you like animals? I've never asked someone that and never been asked it.

Neither can I remember people asking me if I like children or trees or war or other things that just exist. If someone volunteered a position on any of those things either way, I'd think it was a bit of an odd thing to say but I'd probably just go: 'Mmm, okay'.

Comejointhemurder · 02/10/2016 10:09

I like animals but am wary of people who say they prefer dogs/cats to people.

Gottagetmoving · 02/10/2016 10:10

I like animals in their own environment. They are beautiful and we can learn a lot from them. I am not keen on pets though, and people seem to think that is weird.
To say you don't trust anyone who doesn't like animals is a bit strange when there are millions of people who love animals that are totally untrustworthy.

MrsJayy · 02/10/2016 10:12

Yes I'm a bit wary of people who say I prefer cats/dogs/fish to people too

formerbabe · 02/10/2016 10:12

How often do people ask you if you like animals? I've never asked someone that and never been asked it.

No but very often in social situations someone will show you a photo of their pet or a 'funny' video of a cat and you're obliged to go 'aww'! Really, I want to say 'and?'

DeadGood · 02/10/2016 10:13

Congrats on being a vegan OP, and I'm not being sarcastic. Wish I could do it.

I know IABU, it's illogical and bad of me, but I feel slightly contemptuous of people who "don't like animals". I'm not sure why and I know it's wrong to feel like this. Maybe I feel like perhaps they are afraid, but won't admit it, which I find a bit pathetic.

But then again I know that many aren't scared, just dislike... But again I find that a bit lame because it's so uncool to be all "yuk, don't like dogs" or whatever. I know I sound about 12 years old for saying that. But it is just so much cooler to be relaxed and happy if, say, a friendly dog bounds over to you in the park. It makes you look sort of uptight somehow to get all stiff and not engage with animals.

Sparklingbrook · 02/10/2016 10:14

Love cats. Very wary and not that keen on dogs. Other than that I don't really have much contact with any other animals so it's not a huge issue for me.

feelingdizzy · 02/10/2016 10:14

I don't personally get pets,I don't dislike animals,but don't understand what there is to like about them.They make mess need caring for ,I don't see the point.
I do see their huge importance to others,I would never be cruel( I'm a vegetarian).We do have a pet cat which is well looked after,but when the kids grow up there wont be anymore.

Original poster
PineappleFwitters · 02/10/2016 10:15

The two biggest animal lovers I've ever known were two of the most unpleasant people to human beings.

You knew Hitler?? Shock

(I am of course joking, I was in no way comparing all animal lovers to Hitler!)

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 02/10/2016 10:16

We need a 'I dislike' topic if this is going to be a regular theme. So far children and animals. What next? Hmm

Maudlinmaud · 02/10/2016 10:16

I love animals.
My cat has been missing since thursday night and the worry and turmoil is dreadful..Sad
But we all have our likes and dislikes. I really hate pigeons and scream in the street when they lurch at me.

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 02/10/2016 10:19

Maudlinmaud a pigeon bullied me into handing over my pasty once in town. Evil they are.

dimots · 02/10/2016 10:21

I don't like pets much. I think a lot of cruelty is done in the name of pet ownership anyway (over breeding, in breeding, curtailment of natural behaviours) and many of the 'animal lovers' are complicit in this. I like animals in the wild.

Maudlinmaud · 02/10/2016 10:21

I would have dropped the pastry and ran for my life Seamus

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 02/10/2016 10:22

I did - much to the amusement of the large group of teenagers stood watching the blatant mugging. Blush

happyandsingle · 02/10/2016 10:23

I love animals more than people maybe that makes me weird lol

limitedperiodonly · 02/10/2016 10:24

No but very often in social situations someone will show you a photo of their pet or a 'funny' video of a cat and you're obliged to go 'aww'! Really, I want to say 'and?'

People show me pictures of all sorts of things. Someone shared a picture of a station platform yesterday and asked people to admire the curve. I didn't say 'and?' because I that would be rude and teenagerish. I just didn't click like. He isn't hounding me for an opinion, but it is only 10.30am so there's time

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