Why are people who don't like animals treated like freaks?

Sarah Garcia84 said:Where did I ever say that I hate animals? I simply stated that dogs should be treated like animals; is that somehow an insult?
I neglected to mention that, in addition to everything else, training is also essential for dogs, which sets them apart from cats...

Haven't you read Animal Farm? 😁

Dennis Adams said:I don't even know what my deal is, honestly... I'm just not an animal person, even if I think having a kid is the best thing ever (not in some weird way, obviously). My favorite thing to see is when some high-maintenance girl walks into a Starbucks, looking totally flawless, hair perfect, outfit on point, and then she just starts slobbering all over her dog 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮 🤮. Seriously, I can't even look. That whole scene just leaves me scarred. If I lived out in rural Montana or something, sure, I’d get a dog or a cat because they kind of feel like part of the scenery out there, but living in an apartment? No way in hell. And this idea that if you don't like animals, you must hate people? That’s just plain stupid. I’ve seen plenty of examples in my own life that prove otherwise, and there’s even stuff from history—like that famous vegetarian guy back in the 1940s over in Europe who loved his dog more than any actual human being 😉.

Trust me, she wouldn't give you the time of day either 👍

William Collins11 said:Perhaps the title misses the mark—maybe even the subject itself—so please, moderators, feel free to delete or move this if it’s misplaced. (Or if I'm repeating something already posted.)

To be clear, I am one of the people mentioned in the title. The reality is that I simply don't like animals; yet, whenever I admit this in social settings, people look at me as if I were—without any exaggeration—a cold-blooded killer. I truly don't understand why.

Growing up, I never wanted pets, nor did I ever own them... I just never felt that need for that kind of companionship.

Let me clarify one thing immediately—I am strictly against any form of animal cruelty, abuse, or killing. What I see online—people starving animals or beating them to death—it makes me physically ill; it's horrific. I don't hate animals in the sense that I want them all wiped out, but I simply do not love them.

For instance, the other day I was grabbing coffee with a friend and her group of acquaintances—people I barely know. She had this little poodle that wouldn't leave me alone for a single second. It was jumping on everyone, barking, whimpering... and everyone else thought it was "absolutely precious," while I found it so irritating that I could barely stay in my seat. Eventually, I ended up snapping at the dog and pushing it away—mostly because it was trying to lick my face. The reactions from the group were indescribable... they looked at me like I was some sort of monster, or someone mentally unstable. They couldn't fathom how I could yell at a dog or push it away... they pushed me to the point where I went home in tears.

The truth is, I just don't like it when animals jump on me, or lick me, or the smell, or the fur... I can't imagine having a pet in my house—not even a canary, let alone a cat or a dog.

Why does society label those who don't love animals as outcasts, or as cold and terrible people? (Perhaps I am exaggerating slightly, but that encounter truly shook me.)

Has anyone else here dealt with similar experiences?

Adding to everything you said, I would say that I'm actually afraid of all animals; it isn't exactly a full-blown panic attack, but there is this heavy sense of unease.
Anything that crawls or flies gives me the creeps... birds are a special case; I always feel like they're going to get stuck on me. As for dogs and cats, I can't decide which causes more paranoia. Maybe cats, because I can't sit still while they're weaving through my legs. With dogs, maybe the big ones are less scary since they'll either eat you or just ignore you, but those little ones... man... they think they're nothing, but they bark and jump and lick, and I just end up feeling so uncomfortable, especially with the judgment from the people and owners around me.

To be fair, I feel terribly when animals suffer; some things I see actually make me cry... so in a way, I do care about animals, I just want them to stay far away from me, because they just trigger this anxiety and panic.

And yeah, I can't stand the idea of a dog licking me anywhere... I don't even like being licked by my friends when we're out at a cafe.🤣

Actually, I don't think it's about how I was raised... I had plenty of animals at my grandmother's place, so it's not like I haven't been around them since I was a kid.

Go ahead and crucify me, but I just don't click with animals, and I don't think there's much that can be done about it.🤷

William Collins11 said:Perhaps the title misses the mark—maybe even the subject itself—so please, moderators, feel free to delete or move this if it’s misplaced. (Or if I'm repeating something already posted.)

To be clear, I am one of the people mentioned in the title. The reality is that I simply don't like animals; yet, whenever I admit this in social settings, people look at me as if I were—without any exaggeration—a cold-blooded killer. I truly don't understand why.

Growing up, I never wanted pets, nor did I ever own them... I just never felt that need for that kind of companionship.

Let me clarify one thing immediately—I am strictly against any form of animal cruelty, abuse, or killing. What I see online—people starving animals or beating them to death—it makes me physically ill; it's horrific. I don't hate animals in the sense that I want them all wiped out, but I simply do not love them.

For instance, the other day I was grabbing coffee with a friend and her group of acquaintances—people I barely know. She had this little poodle that wouldn't leave me alone for a single second. It was jumping on everyone, barking, whimpering... and everyone else thought it was "absolutely precious," while I found it so irritating that I could barely stay in my seat. Eventually, I ended up snapping at the dog and pushing it away—mostly because it was trying to lick my face. The reactions from the group were indescribable... they looked at me like I was some sort of monster, or someone mentally unstable. They couldn't fathom how I could yell at a dog or push it away... they pushed me to the point where I went home in tears.

The truth is, I just don't like it when animals jump on me, or lick me, or the smell, or the fur... I can't imagine having a pet in my house—not even a canary, let alone a cat or a dog.

Why does society label those who don't love animals as outcasts, or as cold and terrible people? (Perhaps I am exaggerating slightly, but that encounter truly shook me.)

Has anyone else here dealt with similar experiences?

Real animal lovers let animals live in nature, where they actually belong, instead of forcing them into a house. For example, anything bigger than a cat shouldn't be living in a city (especially things that bark and bite). ☕
I've run into plenty of fake dog lovers whose pets bark incessantly at closed patio doors for five hours a day (or the ones whose dogs bark constantly in apartment buildings), or the people who let their dogs off-leash in civilized areas, or the ones whose dogs go to the bathroom in elevators or at the top of high-rises or wherever kids play. 😠
People like that should be banned from owning pets, and if they want a farm, they should just move out of the city. Imagine what an apartment building or a neighborhood would look like if every unit/house had only one dog (not even mentioning the weirdos with twenty cats in one apartment). 🙂

I have two rescue cats! I actually found them both out on the streets, so I guess you could say I’m a huge animal lover? They basically run the house. They're allowed in every single room, and they absolutely love sleeping right on my bed! Isn't that just the cutest thing?

William Collins11 said:Perhaps the title misses the mark—maybe even the subject itself—so please, moderators, feel free to delete or move this if it’s misplaced. (Or if I'm repeating something already posted.)

To be clear, I am one of the people mentioned in the title. The reality is that I simply don't like animals; yet, whenever I admit this in social settings, people look at me as if I were—without any exaggeration—a cold-blooded killer. I truly don't understand why.

Growing up, I never wanted pets, nor did I ever own them... I just never felt that need for that kind of companionship.

Let me clarify one thing immediately—I am strictly against any form of animal cruelty, abuse, or killing. What I see online—people starving animals or beating them to death—it makes me physically ill; it's horrific. I don't hate animals in the sense that I want them all wiped out, but I simply do not love them.

For instance, the other day I was grabbing coffee with a friend and her group of acquaintances—people I barely know. She had this little poodle that wouldn't leave me alone for a single second. It was jumping on everyone, barking, whimpering... and everyone else thought it was "absolutely precious," while I found it so irritating that I could barely stay in my seat. Eventually, I ended up snapping at the dog and pushing it away—mostly because it was trying to lick my face. The reactions from the group were indescribable... they looked at me like I was some sort of monster, or someone mentally unstable. They couldn't fathom how I could yell at a dog or push it away... they pushed me to the point where I went home in tears.

The truth is, I just don't like it when animals jump on me, or lick me, or the smell, or the fur... I can't imagine having a pet in my house—not even a canary, let alone a cat or a dog.

Why does society label those who don't love animals as outcasts, or as cold and terrible people? (Perhaps I am exaggerating slightly, but that encounter truly shook me.)

Has anyone else here dealt with similar experiences?

Exactly! You’ve got one of those friends who just can't help themselves, right? They constantly try to shove their totally unrefined pet in everyone's face. Honestly, I could never dream of forcing my cats on someone who clearly isn't feeling it. If I have guests over who aren't exactly thrilled about cats weaving through their legs, I’ll just pop the cats in another room. Problem solved! You were 100% right to be annoyed. Seriously, if she can't keep her dog under control, why would you want to grab coffee with her? Most people just don't care that much about someone else's animal. If I had to spend an hour and a half petting a stranger's dog or cat just to be polite, I'd absolutely lose it!

electricdriver33 said:Real animal lovers let animals live in nature, where they actually belong, instead of forcing them into a house. For example, anything bigger than a cat shouldn't be living in a city (especially things that bark and bite). ☕
I've run into plenty of fake dog lovers whose pets bark incessantly at closed patio doors for five hours a day (or the ones whose dogs bark constantly in apartment buildings), or the people who let their dogs off-leash in civilized areas, or the ones whose dogs go to the bathroom in elevators or at the top of high-rises or wherever kids play. 😠
People like that should be banned from owning pets, and if they want a farm, they should just move out of the city. Imagine what an apartment building or a neighborhood would look like if every unit/house had only one dog (not even mentioning the weirdos with twenty cats in one apartment). 🙂

My old cats? Yeah, they got taken out by cars. One of them actually got killed by someone else's dog. It was awful. Honestly, I don't even let my pets out into the yard anymore because I'm just totally over the whole process of having to scoop them off the road with a shovel. It’s too much. Anyway, you're just talking nonsense.

Lisa Myers said:Exactly... like I said—it’s pure hypocrisy. You look at these forums and there are endless threads and chats where women "show off" their pets. It's all "oh, he's so cute," or "how could anyone hurt an animal?" It's constant licking and petting and all that fluff. Then, those very same people go out and eat chicken nuggets or grab a burger at McDonald's—I know because they post about it constantly. But sure, let's just call them "selective animal lovers." They adore dogs and cats, but everything else is just food on a plate. Honestly, their comments attacking anyone who "doesn't love animals" are pathetic. And I also can't stand the people who take such a hardline "nothing animal-related" stance just so they can constantly nag everyone else. Look, I don't smoke, and smokers smell worse to me than dog poop. Am I supposed to say that to every single smoker I run into?

But seriously, what are people actually feeding these pets? Soy supplements? They're eating the same processed scraps you'd find at Burger King! When you see a stray kitten or a puppy abandoned on a street corner like literal trash—just shivering and howling because they're starving—it’s pretty hard to sit there and debate high-minded principles, right?

Look, I know there are people out there who just aren't "animal people," and I’m not calling anyone a freak for that. Personally, I’m a huge fan of dogs and cats, but reptiles? Not my thing—I’m terrified of them, so I guess you could say I "don't like" them. If someone thinks that makes me an oddball, honestly, I couldn't care less.
To me, actual weirdos are the people who claim they don't like animals yet insist on keeping them anyway. I truly cannot wrap my head around that logic.
I completely get it: if you aren't an animal person, I won't show up at your door with my dog (and frankly, I won't bring pets to anyone unless we've cleared it beforehand). But, in return, please respect that I am not going to lock up my cats or dogs just because you're visiting my place. My house, my rules.🤷

Now, let’s be clear: not liking animals doesn't mean you don't like people. However, people who actively mistreat or torture animals aren't just "weird"—they are a special breed of idiot. I firmly believe in that old adage about how cruelty starts; if someone is capable of inflicting pain on an innocent creature, there is something fundamentally broken in their psyche, and it's entirely possible they'd turn that same cruelty toward humans if given the chance.🤷
To draw a parallel with snakes—even though I personally can't stand them—I am vehemently against killing them without any actual reason. You see it all the time when people are hiking in a national park, stumble upon a snake minding its own business, and kill it "just to be safe," even though the snake is just living in its habitat and nobody was ever in any real danger...

I actually have more respect for people who don't care for animals and choose not to own them at all:
- than I do for those who buy parrots and directly fuel the breeding industry, forcing these creatures to live in cages their entire lives under the thin guise of "loving animals,"
- or those who get a dog only to keep it tethered on a chain constantly,
- or cat owners who refuse to spay or neuter their pets, effectively killing off the offspring,
- or people who treat animals as mere props to attract attention or a romantic interest, yet wouldn't even bother to feed them if someone else wasn't doing it for them,
- or those who visit the zoo claiming they "love nature," when a zoo isn't nature—it's just captivity,
- or anyone buying any kind of pet (excluding insects, spiders, or reptiles—though I'm not thrilled about those either),
and frankly, everyone else who claims to "love" animals.

Animals are living beings that deserve to have their own peace and their own lives.

Robin Diaz4 said:Look, I know there are people out there who just aren't "animal people," and I’m not calling anyone a freak for that. Personally, I’m a huge fan of dogs and cats, but reptiles? Not my thing—I’m terrified of them, so I guess you could say I "don't like" them. If someone thinks that makes me an oddball, honestly, I couldn't care less.
To me, actual weirdos are the people who claim they don't like animals yet insist on keeping them anyway. I truly cannot wrap my head around that logic.
I completely get it: if you aren't an animal person, I won't show up at your door with my dog (and frankly, I won't bring pets to anyone unless we've cleared it beforehand). But, in return, please respect that I am not going to lock up my cats or dogs just because you're visiting my place. My house, my rules.🤷

Now, let’s be clear: not liking animals doesn't mean you don't like people. However, people who actively mistreat or torture animals aren't just "weird"—they are a special breed of idiot. I firmly believe in that old adage about how cruelty starts; if someone is capable of inflicting pain on an innocent creature, there is something fundamentally broken in their psyche, and it's entirely possible they'd turn that same cruelty toward humans if given the chance.🤷
To draw a parallel with snakes—even though I personally can't stand them—I am vehemently against killing them without any actual reason. You see it all the time when people are hiking in a national park, stumble upon a snake minding its own business, and kill it "just to be safe," even though the snake is just living in its habitat and nobody was ever in any real danger...

Well said! 👍

I know plenty of idiots who are terrified of snakes and start panicking every time they see one, screaming that every single snake needs to be wiped out.

I'm a regular on the "Blue Paw" forum

And look, I think people who aren't into animals are perfectly fine

By "not into them," I mean those who don't want pets at all, or people who just can't stand animals crawling all over them (personally, I'm not a fan of dogs jumping on me, nor my dog jumping on anyone else)

I don't think they're weird or that they lack empathy for humans; I'm not even sure everyone who loves animals necessarily loves people

We all have our own hobbies, emotions, and the right to choose how we live
But what really gets under my skin are irresponsible owners who neglect their animals (it's much like parents who neglect their children)

So, why do some people love animals while others don't? 🤷
There are plenty of factors involved—though I guess it probably all stems from how one was raised at home
I didn't have a dog while I was living in an apartment, so I didn't feel much of a need for one
Even when my dog showed up, I didn't exactly go looking for her; she just wandered into the yard and ended up staying

However, it wasn't until she arrived that I realized just how many people are completely, irrationally afraid of dogs—as if they were walking through the US amidst hordes of aggressive beasts that attack people daily. I don't mean someone who doesn't want a dog jumping on them—that's just an untrained owner—but people who are genuinely terrified of a dog even getting near them

I agree with electricdriver33 that animals should be left in the wild
And we should ban the sale of exotic pets in pet shops, because so many people treat them poorly, assuming that just feeding them is enough

The only exception is dogs—because, frankly, dogs no longer live freely in the wild and cannot survive on their own—at least not according to those who breed them uncontrollably only to act "merciful" by dumping the puppies in the woods. In reality, the only way these dogs survive is by hunting chickens in backyards, scavenging in the woods, or digging through trash, where they end up being mistreated by people😢

Austin Hill6 said:I actually have more respect for people who don't care for animals and choose not to own them at all:
- than I do for those who buy parrots and directly fuel the breeding industry, forcing these creatures to live in cages their entire lives under the thin guise of "loving animals,"
- or those who get a dog only to keep it tethered on a chain constantly,
- or cat owners who refuse to spay or neuter their pets, effectively killing off the offspring,
- or people who treat animals as mere props to attract attention or a romantic interest, yet wouldn't even bother to feed them if someone else wasn't doing it for them,
- or those who visit the zoo claiming they "love nature," when a zoo isn't nature—it's just captivity,
- or anyone buying any kind of pet (excluding insects, spiders, or reptiles—though I'm not thrilled about those either),
and frankly, everyone else who claims to "love" animals.

Animals are living beings that deserve to have their own peace and their own lives.

Well said! 👍

I know plenty of idiots who are terrified of snakes and start panicking every time they see one, screaming that every single snake needs to be wiped out.

The last time I set foot in a zoo was back in third grade during a school field trip. I haven't been since. Honestly, I wouldn't even dream of stepping into a circus with animals either—to me, that’s even more egregious.
Recently, some friends were planning a trip to the local zoo, and I politely declined. When I actually explained my reasoning, I caught a few of them subtly rolling their eyes at me. 😁
On the flip side, it always struck me as a bit hypocritical that these same people identify as vegetarians because they "love animals." It just feels fundamentally inconsistent. 😳

George Johnson7 said:I have two rescue cats! I actually found them both out on the streets, so I guess you could say I’m a huge animal lover? They basically run the house. They're allowed in every single room, and they absolutely love sleeping right on my bed! Isn't that just the cutest thing?

Exactly! You’ve got one of those friends who just can't help themselves, right? They constantly try to shove their totally unrefined pet in everyone's face. Honestly, I could never dream of forcing my cats on someone who clearly isn't feeling it. If I have guests over who aren't exactly thrilled about cats weaving through their legs, I’ll just pop the cats in another room. Problem solved! You were 100% right to be annoyed. Seriously, if she can't keep her dog under control, why would you want to grab coffee with her? Most people just don't care that much about someone else's animal. If I had to spend an hour and a half petting a stranger's dog or cat just to be polite, I'd absolutely lose it!

My old cats? Yeah, they got taken out by cars. One of them actually got killed by someone else's dog. It was awful. Honestly, I don't even let my pets out into the yard anymore because I'm just totally over the whole process of having to scoop them off the road with a shovel. It’s too much. Anyway, you're just talking nonsense.

You weren't letting them into "nature," you were letting them onto the pavement. 😛
That’s why cat populations stay so high... no matter how many get hit by cars or torn apart, there are always enough left for people to just toss kittens into the water. They're like roaches. For every one that dies, five more show up... ☕
But I gotta admit, they aren't nearly as irritating as dogs. They're more independent (they clean themselves so they don't stink), smaller, and they don't bark or bite at you all the time. 🙂

electricdriver33 said:You weren't letting them into "nature," you were letting them onto the pavement. 😛
That’s why cat populations stay so high... no matter how many get hit by cars or torn apart, there are always enough left for people to just toss kittens into the water. They're like roaches. For every one that dies, five more show up... ☕
But I gotta admit, they aren't nearly as irritating as dogs. They're more independent (they clean themselves so they don't stink), smaller, and they don't bark or bite at you all the time. 🙂

I used to live almost out in the sticks. I had this massive forest right behind my house, but yeah, there were roads nearby too. My cats just went wherever the wind took them, and even though they had all that nature to explore, accidents happened. I guess that's how you end up becoming a "cat lady," right? You slowly lose your mind from picking up little paws off the road. Before you know it, you're just totally fine with vacuuming constantly, cleaning up messes, and living with scratched-up furniture just so they can stay safe... Oh well!

Robin Diaz4 said:The last time I set foot in a zoo was back in third grade during a school field trip. I haven't been since. Honestly, I wouldn't even dream of stepping into a circus with animals either—to me, that’s even more egregious.
Recently, some friends were planning a trip to the local zoo, and I politely declined. When I actually explained my reasoning, I caught a few of them subtly rolling their eyes at me. 😁
On the flip side, it always struck me as a bit hypocritical that these same people identify as vegetarians because they "love animals." It just feels fundamentally inconsistent. 😳

I can wrap my head around zoos if they're dedicated to rehabilitating injured wildlife, but looking at our local San Diego zoo, that doesn't seem to be the case here. These animals were just brought in from elsewhere to live on display.
Releasing them back into the wild wouldn't be a good idea, but isn't it a tragedy that humans ever felt the need to hunt such beautiful, wild creatures in the first place? 👎

Look, I love animals, but I'm just not about that responsibility life. To me, owning a pet is a massive commitment I'm not ready for. And honestly? If I see a dog out on the street, I don't get all emotional and melt—I just keep driving. Some of my buddies would totally lose it if they saw that, though. But here’s the thing: if I see a dog chained up in some tiny rural town where the owner clearly never even takes it for a walk, I get hit with this urge to chain the owner up too, just to see how they like it. People probably think I hate animals because I say straight up that I'll never get a dog. It's just too much work for me.

Hmm... I see this thread has expanded into areas I hadn't quite intended—though, honestly, I'm glad. It’s helpful to see such a wide spectrum of perspectives; it really helps me gauge the social climate.

When I mentioned my dislike for animals, I was specifically referring to pets. I simply don't care for having them near me—in my own apartment, at least. I can tolerate them perfectly well at someone else's place, provided they aren't being intrusive and I don't have to spend my entire evening fussing over how "precious" or "sweet" they are.

Broadly speaking, I have nothing against animals themselves. I've only ever been to a zoo once in my life, and I can't imagine ever going back. Personally, I don't think anyone should have to live like that—confined to a cage.

It isn't as if I grew up without animals nearby; back at my grandmother's place out in the countryside, there were plenty of cats roaming around, though we never actually kept a pet. They were just local strays you'd toss some food to—not "pets" in the sense of buying them cans of tuna, letting them sleep in your bed, or constantly kissing their noses. My family never had pets like that. Perhaps that's where my indifference stems from.

I actually started this discussion because I was once labeled "selfish" just for stating that I didn't want pets in my home—specifically because I can't stand the hair and the smells. This came from a couple I knew from college—they were living in a tiny 300-square-foot studio with three dogs. We were having a general conversation about animals, and they ended up targeting me personally for my views, which apparently are unacceptable to most people.

Same here. Honestly, I’ve hit up the zoo twice now, and both times it just left me feeling totally bummed out. There's something about seeing a lion stuck in a cage or a wolf behind bars that really gets to you. And as for pets? Like I said before: they're a huge commitment. Plus, let's be real—some of them stinks.

William Collins11 said:Hmm... I see this thread has expanded into areas I hadn't quite intended—though, honestly, I'm glad. It’s helpful to see such a wide spectrum of perspectives; it really helps me gauge the social climate.

When I mentioned my dislike for animals, I was specifically referring to pets. I simply don't care for having them near me—in my own apartment, at least. I can tolerate them perfectly well at someone else's place, provided they aren't being intrusive and I don't have to spend my entire evening fussing over how "precious" or "sweet" they are.

Broadly speaking, I have nothing against animals themselves. I've only ever been to a zoo once in my life, and I can't imagine ever going back. Personally, I don't think anyone should have to live like that—confined to a cage.

It isn't as if I grew up without animals nearby; back at my grandmother's place out in the countryside, there were plenty of cats roaming around, though we never actually kept a pet. They were just local strays you'd toss some food to—not "pets" in the sense of buying them cans of tuna, letting them sleep in your bed, or constantly kissing their noses. My family never had pets like that. Perhaps that's where my indifference stems from.

I actually started this discussion because I was once labeled "selfish" just for stating that I didn't want pets in my home—specifically because I can't stand the hair and the smells. This came from a couple I knew from college—they were living in a tiny 300-square-foot studio with three dogs. We were having a general conversation about animals, and they ended up targeting me personally for my views, which apparently are unacceptable to most people.

Honestly, forget what they said. People just love to act morally superior, don't they? Personally, I think spending an entire day stuck inside an apartment just waiting for an owner to take you for a walk sounds like a miserable way for any animal to live.

I have nothing but respect for people who rescue animals and save them from sickness, hunger, or death in some local shelter. That’s noble and truly humane, but regardless of that, I don't think anyone has the right to label you a freak or call you selfish simply because you don't want pets.

Not everyone is built for everything, and most people really ought to question their actual motives before getting a pet—instead of picking one up and then dumping it on the street whenever they decide to head to the beach or go on vacation.

So, how did you handle their accusations?

I love animals. Especially when they're served on a dinner plate. 😁

(for the record, I don't particularly care for animals, nor do I hate them. I've never owned a pet and frankly, I couldn't care less. boo hoo)

Cats, dogs, every damn bird out there... 😍

Especially those birds—you know, the ones that start their morning racket so loud you can hear them from blocks away. There’s actually something kind of cool about it, though—just sitting there listening to that raw sound drifting in from the distance, exactly the way it hits you.