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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:
limitedperiodonly · 02/10/2016 17:55

I didn't like my cat when I got him. He was my mum's and no-one else could take him, so it was either me or a rescue centre and possible destruction.

He continued to be an annoying little fucker for some time until one day we made friends. Now I wouldn't be without the happy little soul and though I can't say he loves me, he trusts me more than anyone and brightens up my life. That is more than enough for a dumb animal.

One day he'll die and the saddest thing is that he'll have never known my name. But I'll remember his.

I understand why people don't want to give animals houseroom - I didn't. But to say you don't like them is odd.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 03/10/2016 11:44

I can't bear people who say they prefer animals to people. It depends on the human. There are plenty of humans who I would step over to save an animal.

I can't bear people who Insist on extensive and painful veterinary treatment for animals. My cat had a lot of treatment earlier this year and it cost over £2.5k. His problems weren't life threatening, he's only 11 and he's absolutely fine now so it was worth every penny.

I can't bear people who work on putting already miserable and traumatized animals through the additional misery and trauma of shipping them out of war zones or actuallly from abroad generally. It depends on the circumstances and the animal.

I can't bear people who think being PTS is the worst possible outcome for an animal. This I definitely agree with and it's a shame it can't be available to humans who are suffering.

paddypants13 · 03/10/2016 11:59

I am an animal lover and animas usually like me. If I am in the right clothes and have time to pet dogs I always will but I hate it when badly trained dogs jump up at me.

However, as long as a person isn't cruel to animals and accepts that when they visit my house the cat might be around then I don't really care.

I know far more people who dislike children than animals!

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 03/10/2016 12:02

Yeah I'm the same OP. I appreciate the look of a cute puppy or whatever but other than that I don't like them.

EastMidsMummy · 03/10/2016 12:11

There are plenty of humans who I would step over to save an animal.

psychopath noun: a person afflicted with a personality disorder characterised by a tendency to commit antisocial... acts and a failure to feel guilt for such acts.

TheNoodlesIncident · 03/10/2016 12:16

Tbh a lot of the time I do find I like animals better than people. It's usually when I'm struggling because I don't understand someone's behaviour. As an example, if someone says "Come out to lunch soon" and then when I say, "Oh, lovely idea - when do you think?" and they backpedal so fast to get out of it. It's hurtful because I realise then that they didn't mean it, what they meant was "I don't want to see you ever again". Why suggest lunch then? I don't get it. It's upsetting and unnecessary.

And I get home and the cat goes: "Hello. I'll come and sit by you." MUCH easier!

I usually do like people, most seem nice with lots of good points, but by gum they're a lot harder work. Two people I used to work with felt the same as OP; one said, "animals are fine out in the wild, but why keep them as pets??" Fair enough.

The other person felt that "in 100 years' time, we will be amazed that we actually kept animals in our homes". She was genuinely revolted at her sister letting their cat in their house. I thought about the length of time people have been living in close quarters with their animals, and the reasons why people keep wholly unnecessary animals but I said nothing, because she would never have understood.

I don't know where she got the 100 years from. I think the latest figures for domestication of dogs is estimated at 30,000 years? Can't see that being swept away just like that...

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 03/10/2016 12:18

Are you calling me a psychopath EastMids?! Are you saying I should save murderers, paedophiles? I would feel no guilt saving an animal over the likes of Ian Brady, Ian Huntly etc...

pollyblack · 03/10/2016 12:24

It's a huge and unnecessary leap to assume that people who don't like animals want to harm them!

I have very little interest in animals really, I certainly do not believe you can "know" an animal or that they can actually offer unconditional love.

I spent a recent afternoon being shown photos of several friends dogs, I trot out the "aw" response but really don't get it. I would never show anyone an unsolicited photo of my child/house/holiday etc, it's strange behaviour, as if showing me the picture will suddenly make me love animals!

myownprivateidaho · 03/10/2016 12:40

I have a problem with people who say they don't like children, but not liking animals doesn't bother me.

EastMidsMummy · 03/10/2016 12:44

Are you saying I should save murderers, paedophiles?

Humans, yes.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 03/10/2016 12:44

Seems a bit simplistic to me. You appear to be talking about pets and livestock.

"Animals" are quite diverse.

It does seem odd to be, because so many wild animals are just so beautiful and indicative of a healthy environment.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 03/10/2016 12:46

And I certainly can't understand those who are so definite about humans being more worthy of respect and consideration than animals, when so many humans prove on a daily basis that they are just awful.

StarryIllusion · 03/10/2016 12:50

I don't trust people who don't like animals either to the point that I probably wouldn't trust them with my kids. Don't ask me to logically explain it because I couldn't if I tried. It's just a thing. Probably the same as you feel about animals actually, I just irrationally don't trust people who don't like any animals at all.

Artandco · 03/10/2016 12:53

I don't really trust animals I don't know, so I suppose don't therefore like them much. Such as a cat I own I love, one my grandmother owns I love as I know their personalities and what they will and won't do. A random cat at someone's house I have never met I would rather stay clear in case it scratches or whatever. Dogs inboarks terrify my walking past as I have no idea if they are the type to lunge out or bark or even lick me ( which I would hate)

StarryIllusion · 03/10/2016 12:58

Wow some people would honestly save the life of a paedophile who has sexually assaulted a child over an animal who has never harmed anyone? I've fucking heard it all now. So if I pulled a drowning dog from the river and waved merrily as the man who raped a 2 year old drowns that would make me a psychopath? OK, sounds good to me.

Thejubremonyatthelibrary · 03/10/2016 13:02

I don't trust people who don't like animals either to the point that I probably wouldn't trust them with my kids.

I feel the same. I can't relate to people who don't like animals and my underlying, knee-jerk suspicion is that they lack empathy.

Btw, I can totally understand if somebody doesn't like an animal that they've had a bad experience with but to write off the whole animal kingdom? That makes no sense to me.

Thejubremonyatthelibrary · 03/10/2016 13:04

Then I'd be a psychopath along-with you Starry I suspect most people would be, in fact.

Headofthehive55 · 03/10/2016 13:14

I have no interest in animals generally. My eyes glaze over when a wildlife program comes on tv. I. Don't want to hurt them, far from it, I would care for one very well but I don't have any interest. I don't think that makes me lacking in empathy.

Jonsnowsghost · 03/10/2016 13:19

"I have very little interest in animals really, I certainly do not believe you can "know" an animal or that they can actually offer unconditional love. "

You do not believe this because you don't have the interest in animals to spend the time with them. Many pet owners would tell you about the individual personalities and idiosyncratic behaviours of their pets, what makes them happy and what would scare them etc. You can indeed "know" an animal. The unconditional love can be shown too, especially if you have animals that aren't food motivated - they don't just see you as a food dispenser.

Saddened to see that people still call animals "dumb" - a lot of them are intelligent and have similar intelligence levels to children.

I do tend towards preferring animals to humans as I've met some pretty horrible people.

MuffyTheUmpireSlayer · 03/10/2016 13:27

I don't trust people who don't like animals either to the point that I probably wouldn't trust them with my kids.

That's just ridiculous. Not having a particular interest in animals does not mean that you want to harm them (or would save a paedophile or murderer over them Hmm). What has not wanting to "aww" over a picture of someone's kitten got to do with looking after children?!

Personally, I love children (and should, as I'm a teacher - and there's every possibility that I could end up looking after yours!) but have very little interest or desire to be around animals. Should I consider a career change?

IceIceIce · 03/10/2016 13:29

I love animals. And I never understand those who are offended by people who don't.

SabineUndine · 03/10/2016 13:34

I can't stand animals. I particularly loathe my cat who is one demanding sod. He's like living with teenagers but worse because he sheds more hair and licks his arse when I have friends round. Honestly, I really regret the days I bought him and he . . ."Mummy's Cuddlywuddly Puddytat with the oofly tummy yes he is . . . Sorry, what was I saying?

Oh yes, cat. Don't get one. It's a life of servitude.

pollyblack · 03/10/2016 13:41

You do not believe this because you don't have the interest in animals to spend the time with them. Many pet owners would tell you about the individual personalities and idiosyncratic behaviours of their pets, what makes them happy and what would scare them etc.

You have no idea how much time I spend with animals! There are many pets in my family and I spend loads of time with them. I'm perfectly nice to them and appreciate they are loved and bring value to their owners lives. That doesn't mean I have to like them or want my own pets.

I find it amusing that the term "I don't like animals" is an unacceptable blanket term whereas "I love animals" is seen as completely normal. What, even the ones who kill children?

Jonsnowsghost · 03/10/2016 13:47

No I admit I don't but your post came across as someone who didn't. If you spend that much time with them then surely you would be able to "know" them?

You can say the same with people though, you like humans - even the ones who kill children? Obviously not but it's the same argument!

StarryIllusion · 03/10/2016 13:48

I feel the same. I can't relate to people who don't like animals and my underlying, knee-jerk suspicion is that they lack empathy

Yeah I think that is my reaction too. Closest I could get to an explanation anyway.

I can understand not liking some or not being particularly interested but to actively dislike every animal ever? Idk call it spidey sense.