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

[ByMellowScroller]

Not everyone loves animals, yet people think it’s a red flag. AIBU to think it’s just personal preference and nothing more?

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.

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!!

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.

@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.

Do you eat animals?

@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?"

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.

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 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 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 can't help how I feel though - to me, not 'generally liking animals' is an alien concept, I can't get my head around it, it feels very very wrong and I honestly can't think of a single friend I have who doesn't like animals.

Now that doesn't mean they all HAVE animals, one of my very best friends has no pets at all, they travel often however, and work with animals on a weekly basis if not more often!

It's the 'totally indifferent to animals' thing I can't comprehend, (and the 'I hate animals' because thats mad, theres so many animals how can you feel THAT strongly about them all?! Either you're being hyperbolic or you're a fucking psychopath)... so I wouldn't choose to be friends with someone like that or spend any time with them unless necessary for work/general adulting purposes.

It isn't a choice to feel this way, it isn't something I've sat down and made some active judgement about. It feels wrong and unpleasant, and it always has.

Ever since I was really small I've found it super weird for people not to have animals and as I got older and would ask people, I'd discover some just couldn't have animals (a close friend had severe asthma, even their stuffed Otter had to come live with us... as an adult, she has two lovely cats!) for some reason, and some genuinely didn't like animals, couldn't see the point in them, just weren't interested.. and that just feels wrong.

Sorry if you don't like being judged over it.. but, I do feel like it's some sort of character/personality flaw that says something about you. I can't change how I feel there any more than you can change how you do.

I also don't agree that I am someone who cares for animals more than people, I care about people very deeply and help people with their pets on a daily basis. If I can't listen to them, understand, empathise and care... I certainly can't help their pet!

This is hilarious!! Slaves????
As someone who loves animals, I don’t judge those who don’t. We are all different, we all like different things and the world would be dull if we didn’t.

But the fact that this poster thinks I have pets because I want “slaves” is so ridiculous as to be funny!
What they do not seem to understand is that by having a pet, you don’t get a “slave”. You do on occasion, become a slave though! We adopt a a lot of older dogs with medical issues who have been mistreated (and try to undo the damage caused by people who, very clearly, did not like animals) and when I’m driving them around the country to various medical appointments, when we go without things ourselves to ensure they can see the best specialist, when I’m changing bandages and cooking special meals for them, sometimes I do feel like a slave!! Even when they recover, when it’s blowing a gale and pissing it down and you really don’t want to go outside, but they need a walk so, off you go….
I do it willingly and feel privileged to have them. They are definitely not my slaves though 🤣🤣🤣

I like animals. However I don't like how a lot of pet owners assume that you also love their pets and are happy with them being all over you. I've been out walking before and had dogs with muddy paws jump up at me with pretty feeble attempts from the owners to stop it.

I'm not keen on cats. I had a friend with a cat and every time I went over her cat would come and walk all over me digging its claws in which I did not like, again no attempt from her to stop it even when I'd told her I don't like it.

I have pets myself (hamsters and rats) but I wouldn't assume that everyone else is interested in them. A lot of people dislike rats especially and it doesn't bother me.

My whole life revolves around animals. As a result, I find it really difficult to understand people who don’t like them.
That said, I don’t really like children and I’m sure there are people who find that strange. We are all different.

I'll.be honest.I think people.who don't like animals are cold.Ive never met one who isn't tbh.

I love animals - I feed the garden birds daily and the hedgehog every night. I just don’t want a pet. It isn’t a mark of moral superiority to have an animal in your house!

It might be an incompability, and fair enough that you'd only want to date people who like your pets, but it's not a "red flag"!

Red flags are traits/behaviours that might be indicative of future abuse, or toxic attitudes.

Are you veggie/vegan?

I find it interesting that so many people on this thread are conflating pet ownership with being an animal lover. They are not the same thing.

I can guarantee* that most of the "animal lovers" on this thread who are criticising people who aren't into pets only value sheep, cows, pigs etc. for their meat. They're not very loving towards the animals that they view as only suitable for industrial-scale slaughter. I guess those animals aren't cute enough?

MasterBeth was just more upfront about it than most.

(* because most of the population eats meat)

Some animals are not pets , they are bred for use such as horses and dogs , especially in other cultures/ countries. While I get these animals are not pets / companions so therefore people are not emotionally invested, I don't understand it when people don't look after their basic needs such as food water , shelter and medical attention when they are suffering. To me it's basic human compassion. To leave an animal half starving dehydrated and in pain is inexcusable.

Are you this melodramatic about everything? It must be an exhausting.

This is really creepy, sorry. Trying to shame people for their boundaries is a massive red flag.

I actually think it is a red flag.

Disliking animals is not a 'boundary' 🤣

Not liking pets is, and people who can't see that are dodgy.