Don't Call Your Companion Animal "Pet"

[icyfroth]

Call your animal a 'companion' instead of a pet: PETA chief says term is derogatory because it makes living things sound like a 'commodity' or 'decoration'

Apparently, it's derogatory:

Cats and dogs seem perfectly happy to be fed, watered and cuddled by doting owners.

But whatever you do, don't call them pets, says the head of an animal rights organisation.

Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, said this is derogatory and suggests they are merely a 'commodity' or 'decoration'.

The group – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – has long called for owners to be renamed 'human carers' or guardians.

Yesterday, the animal rights activist, 70, from Surrey, compared calling animals pets to the treatment of women before feminism, when they were not allowed to own property or were patronisingly called 'sweetie' or 'honey' to make them seem 'less of a person'.

Miss Newkirk said: 'Animals are not pets – they are not your cheap burglar alarm, or something which allows you to go out for a walk. They are not ours as decorations or toys, they are living beings.

'A dog is a feeling, whole individual, with emotions and interests, not something you 'have'.'

It is estimated almost 45 per cent of UK households have a pet – about 51million animals – mainly dogs.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7954103/Dont-call-pet-pet-Animal-rights-charity-chief-says-...

What next?

[tcmsecretpsid]

I recently had a conversation with a friend who feels dogs belong outside, and are just pets. The article is pointing out the fact that animals should be treated as feeling beings. If you spoil your pets, the article is not addressing that. If you ignore your pets, and treat them like low life’s, the article is talking about you. Animals that are brought into your home deserve to be loved, and cared for in a humane way. While I agree that PETA often goes too far with some of their rants, this one makes sense to me. After reading the above posts, I’d guess that most of you do treat your pets as companions.

[tasfleur]

Our pet cats are our companions.  Our companion cats are our pets.  Either way, us humans are our cats' companions and pets ... 

PETA can say whatever they like;    the reality is, our furry pets are our companions and our furry companions are our pets; as far as I am concerned, our pet companions see us as that also ...  

[davidc4430]

my family allways had dogs that lived outside when i was growing up, but they had kennels for shelter

it wasnt until we moved to wallyworld and no longer have a backyard to speak of we began allowing the dog we had to move inside with us. she fitted in just fine, the only change required was a regular bath.

when she passed away and i went down the path of getting a greyhound there was never a thought he wouldnt be living indoors with us 24/7

he too went into the monthly bath routine. i took him to a woman who had a grooming business every month for a hot bath and some TLC. $25PM

i will be doing the same with leroy. (1 more sleep)

my cats have been indoor only for over 30 years after one was bitten by a snake

it means 2 litter trays in the laundry and doing daily cleans of said litter.

ive never had anyone say the house smells doggy or catty.

i cant imagine putting a cat or dog outside ever now.

[tasfleur]

Well look at that!  How spoiled can companion pets get then ...  

Waiting anxiously for the first pictures of Leyroy home at last    xx

[springyzone]

Pet-a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure.

Pet-to stroke or pat an animal affectionately.

So how is calling an animal a pet derogatory? 

Maybe I'm a grumpy old thing but I have had it with people telling me that perfectly ordinary words are not acceptable any longer. eg boy, girl, pet

And why must they always pick an alternative term that is twice as long and more bother to say?

PS Pet is preferable to companion because pet is a more exacting meaning-it conveys that you're talking about an animal, not a human and that the animal is your companion, that it lives with you.

[davidc4430]

for all the good things PETA may do its stories like this that drives people away from them

similar to vegitarians and vegans when they get on their soapboxes

have your say and your opinion but dont preach

i heard a saying recently something like 

you get more flys with sugar than salt

ie treat your target with rational argument and logic

not its my way or the highway