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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:
tootsietoo · 03/10/2016 13:48

That's the same as saying "I don't like people". Some people are nice. Some are annoying. Some you love. Some are your family, some are your friends. etc. It's the same with animals. You're missing out on a lot of life enhancing relationships by restricting them to humans only! If you choose to have some living with you though, like children, they are quite a lot of hard work!

JaimeLannister · 03/10/2016 14:28

Strangely many posters seem to be bringing up domestic pets when saying they don't like animals. You dislike every single animal? Humpback whales, reindeer, civets, gazelles, sunfish, donkeys, seals, cheetahs? All 8+million species?

I understand someone not liking spiders or dogs or cats or horses but every species seems odd.

I love my dogs but I don't see the appeal in pugs or bulldogs. I love my family and friends but don't like every human.

limitedperiodonly · 03/10/2016 14:37

But meerkats are sinister little fuckers Jaime. You know that manor they all live in? I'd nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be safe.

IceIceIce · 03/10/2016 14:38

What do you people actually want?

Do you want people who don't like animals to pretend they do? Or is it a complete personality overhaul you are expecting?

Lilmisskittykat · 03/10/2016 14:39

I wouldn't trust someone who didn't like animals... i find them hard to understand.

That's just me

IceIceIce · 03/10/2016 14:40

Jaime I always take it as they haven't found one they're comfortable with yet.

And in my opinion if you aren't comfortable with an animal it's probably the sensible thing to avoid them.

I would not feel comfortable having nervous people around my horses for example. They'd teach them bad lessons.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 03/10/2016 14:42

or would save a paedophile or murderer over them

Some posters would!

limitedperiodonly · 03/10/2016 14:43

It's worse, IceIceIce. We want to hunt you down, dig you from your burrows, smear your blood on the face of a cute kitten and send compilations to our FB friends.

IrianOfW · 03/10/2016 14:45

Its entirely up to you and I don't think it reflects badly on you but I confess I find it strange to dislike all animals apart from human animals.

So far in my 51 years the only animals that ever really hurt me have been the two-legged big-brained hairless apes type.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 03/10/2016 14:45

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?

That shows a fundamental misunderstanding of animals and you are giving them human attributes.

This "animals OR people" attitude is partly why the natural world is in such a terrible predicament.

formerbabe · 03/10/2016 14:47

I can admire wild animals from a safe distance! I dislike being in the same vicinity as animals because I find them unpredictable...I don't like the fact that you can't reason with them like you can with people. I am on edge around them because I feel like if I make one wrong move they will hurt me. I don't hate them or lack empathy...but I don't feel like I gain anything positive from interacting with them.

Rrross1ges · 03/10/2016 14:47

it seems more acceptable to say you don't like kids than to say you don't like animals!

If you'd met my kids and my dog I think you'd definitely understand my love of animals!

user838383 · 03/10/2016 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BertrandRussell · 03/10/2016 15:17

"That shows a fundamental misunderstanding of animals and you are giving them human attributes."

What, like loyalty, or unconditional love?

MmmCuriouSir · 03/10/2016 15:21

i don't like cats. Other animals are cool.

Gatehouse77 · 03/10/2016 15:31

I don't like animals. I would not wish them harm and doesn't have a problem with people who do like animals. It's just not for me. Even the smell of pet shops makes me heave.

I have pondered at times if I should do some kind of aversion therapy but came to the conclusion that I don't need to spend money on something that isn't a problem for me but for others.

My kids all like animals, although are allergic in varying degrees! I'm glad that I haven't passed my dislike on and they have had to accept that pets don't feature in their childhood.

Stormtreader · 03/10/2016 15:39

I am a huge animal lover, people not so much. Theres no second-guessing with an animal whether they really like you or not, you'll never find a cat sniggering with her cat mates over how I can only afford to buy the cheap pouches of food Grin

sparechange · 03/10/2016 15:40

I'm always slightly distrusting of people who don't like animals, espeically when they say it is because of the potential mess and having to look after them. I have found, almost without exception, it is because they are self-centred types who won't do things for other people unless there is an obvious reward.

OP, you do also back up my theory that a lot of vegans are vegan because they really dislike animals, rather than like them. I have a vegan friend who's utopic view of the world is one without pets and farm animals not because she doesn't like the idea of them being owned, but because she really doesn't like to see any animals and finds them gross.

ExConstance · 03/10/2016 15:44

A nice long snuggle with my cuddly old Staffie, the embracing of a sturdy Highland or Icelandic pony/horse, my long departed Collie Cross and Dachshund creeping upstairs to lie between H and me on a Sunday morning - these are some of the happiest, smile inducing moments of my life. I can't imagine life without the love of an animal friend.

Headofthehive55 · 03/10/2016 15:47

spare I hardly think I am self centred, far from it and spend most of my time doing things for others. But I am not keen on animals. We all have interests and for me, animals don't interest me.

My life is very very busy. I don't want to spend time clearing up after a dog, as I realise that would be time I don't spend doing something I enjoy, or with my children.

MrsJayy · 03/10/2016 15:47

Op out of interest why are you vegan ? Meant to ask this yesterday but hid the thread by mistake

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 03/10/2016 15:48

What, like loyalty, or unconditional love?

No Bertrand, I was talking about the poster who wondered how people could like animals which kill children. I'm guessing she means predators rather than something like a mosquito, but it doesn't matter - animals are not murderers in the human sense are they? They kill by instinct rather than malicious intent.

And I don't think loyalty or unconditional love are human attributes, though I may have misunderstood your point. I think seabirds, for example, are much better parents than many humans are with the love and protection they offer their chicks until they are fledged. You're not going to find stronger family love and loyalty than those you find in a family of killer whales.

But that's why I find the use of the word "animals" as though they are one homogeneous entity a little odd and shows she hasn't given the animal kingdom much thought - they are infinite in their variety and behaviours. Her view of animals seems to centre on pets and livestock.

pollyblack · 03/10/2016 16:03

Hands up I dont want the hassle or responsibility of looking after an animal- Myself and my partner have fairly serious health conditions, no family support, our own business and two kids. But yes if course i am very self centred and without empathy Hmm

Thejubremonyatthelibrary · 03/10/2016 16:08

'I'm always slightly distrusting of people who don't like animals, espeically when they say it is because of the potential mess and having to look after them. I have found, almost without exception, it is because they are self-centred types who won't do things for other people unless there is an obvious reward.'

I've found that to be true too. In fact, I've ended up accidentally owning a few animals because of people like those described above.

Thejubremonyatthelibrary · 03/10/2016 16:13

Yes but Polly are you just talking about pets? In which case, there's no law that says that you have to have one. Especially if you've serious health conditions that don't sit well with pet ownership. I get the sense that the OP is being dismissive of the whole animal kingdom. All 8.7 million species that share our planet with us. Which is just a tad disquieting.