Genuine question, let me know if this violates TOS

[u/ResponseSorry3391]

What aspect of pet ownership drives you personally away? I personally don't disagree with those who own pets, I just prefer keeping working animals outdoors/in specific rooms. While I don't agree with some things on this subreddit, I'm looking to learn from others point of view, is it the fault of the owner? Or the idea of pet ownership?

[u/Alocin_The5th]

It’s been a journey for me… 1. First the idea of owing pets was whatever to me. It was to each his own. I had pets - outdoors growing up and they seemed happy and thriving. 2. Then I moved to the US where indoor pets were a thing. I found it gross because like I said in number 1, I had pets and they did things like eat rotting animals like it was candy so it was confusing that anyone would be ok sharing living space with that. But again, to each his own, it’s their house not mine 3. Then comes Covid and the explosion of pets. Pets everywhere in your face, in places I get my food - because cycling back to my number 2 point, common pets like dogs and cat - more so dogs are very disgusting to human standards. Dogs will literally eat poop…why would they ever be in a place where food is sold?? - now this is becoming my business. 4. Finally, I have seen the explosion of highly anxious dogs, dogs with separation anxiety etc, and I have been paying attention to the number of pets that run away….and it makes me really think…why do we house animals? Why do we breed them, take them away from their birth mother, bring them home, and give them a life humans would want. I compare them to my outdoor pets who never ran away, never destroyed our stuff, who had a very big wooded area to roam as they please…I can’t help but believe that keeping animals inside for our personal use is likely not ethical…They don’t have the intelligence to bond together and demand change so the people who speak for them are the ones that need them for emotional comfort. The fact that anyone can own two huskies in a small apartment cannot be ok. They are also very disruptive to neighbors in small apartments

[u/Itrytothinklogically → u/Alocin_The5th]

💯👏 especially #4!!!!

[u/SnooMarzipans5409]

It's less pet owners and more animal obsessed owners for me. The ones who will bring their dog everywhere even if it's not a pet friendly venue because of their entitlement. Those who value the lives of animals above fellow human beings, family members and their children or spouses. In addition, those who make excuses for dangerous dogs that harm people by making it the fault of the victim. All in all my distaste is for how nutters have created this disturbing culture of animal worship. For actual animals I'm indifferent, I don't dislike them.

[u/tacticalnyanko]

I was raised in Guam where, growing up atleast, we treated animals like they lived around us but we werent enthralled with them. We viewed them as animals and most often would keep them outside as the climate was fairly cool and dry most of the year.

I choose not to have a pet because I dont have the affection for animals that would be a pet.

I can think a dog may be cute to look at or maybe even give a pat on the head, but I dont want one.

I dont like the smell of dog shit or piss. I hate the smell of dog food. I hate the idea of having to take time out of my life to walk, feed, and care for a dog. I hate their behaviors like humping, eating anything they find etc. I don't want to deal with them when theyre old. I dont want to deal with a dog who's shitting everywhere cause either cant control its back half anymore.

I'd rather pour into my human relationships and family versus live in a fantasy land where my pet talks to me and loves me.

Edited spelling*

[u/mynameishuman42]

I've had pets. I'm allergic to cats like vampires are allergic to sunlight and I don't want to clean up anyone's shit but my own.

[u/lolfamy]

Pets are filthy. A lot of pet owners are in denial about this. With my allergies it's even worse.

I have a baby and I'd rather she didn't get attacked. I know, "just always watch your animal and it will be 100% safe" the pet owners say. Besides not being true, I'd really not want to spend so much time watching an animal to make sure it doesn't bite a baby. Any desire to have a pet disappears when you have a child.

I travel frequently. This would be annoying to deal with. Similarly, I live in another country and it is not going to be permanent. I've read multiple times (on reddit, of course) about people staying longer than they wanted because they have a dog. It is hard to not roll my eyes right out of their sockets when you read someone is unhappy being in the country but they stay because they have a dog. But of course it happens

[u/Flashy-Rhubarb-11 → u/lolfamy]

My reasons are similar to yours. We’re an international family and having to find care for pets would suck. I also have a friend who is a flight attendant who has told me all sorts of stories about what happens to animals onboard and I think it’s unethical to force international moves on animals. Some cannot deal with the stress, heat, noise, and they will just die in a cage in the hold. I couldn’t do that to an animal if I had a choice.

I have five children. I couldn’t deal with taking care of another living being while also constantly watching the animal and my kids to make sure that no one gets hurt. This goes both ways. Little kids can really be hurt…but also hurt or maim animals in ways they don’t understand.

[u/Usual_Zucchini → u/lolfamy]

It’s also impossible to “always” watch an animal around your kids. Especially once you have more than one kid. At some point your back will be turned feeding a baby, changing a diaper, prepping lunch or even going to the bathroom yourself. Of course dog freaks will then say that a baby gate should be in place as if my own kids need to be restricted in their house for the sake of an unpredictable, filthy animal.

[u/lolfamy → u/Usual_Zucchini]

One of those dog advice threads popped up in my feed and there was a someone asking about their dog growling at a baby aggressively who was behind a baby gate. And no shit there was someone in the thread that said the dog was just resource guarding and recommended getting rid of the gate. Absolute insanity.

[u/Usual_Zucchini → u/lolfamy]

It is hard to imagine why people willingly live in homes they need to organize like a prison just so a disgusting dog doesn’t maul their flesh and blood.

[u/Alocin_The5th → u/lolfamy]

The number of “dogs are cleaner than humans”….or babies should be exposed to dogs because it builds their immune system and prevent allergies posts I have read.

The truth is mammals are filthy, include humans and dogs. The issue with humans is that we have a care routine which involves daily bathing, daily brushing, not licking our asses, not eating rotting animals, not eating crap. How an earth is a dog mouth cleaner than ours when they do all these things, unless they have some magical antiseptic properties. And if that was the case how come I have never heard of harvesting dog saliva for the field of medicine. People can truly convince themselves of a lot of nonsense.

[u/lolfamy → u/Alocin_The5th]

That dog mouth cleanliness myth is one of the weirdest things that's ever been passed around, how people ever believe that baffles me.

Personally I think cats are worse though I might be biased because I'm allergic to them. But if you've ever smelled a house stained of cat piss you might agree. Even most dog owners will acknowledge that dogs can be dirty but for some reason cats have this reputation for being clean, especially among cat owners. Besides all the visible hairs they leave, cat owners have a smell.

[u/dybo2001]

Dogs and cats specifically, in general, are so loud and annoying. Always in your face. Always in your goddamn way. Can’t walk across the damn kitchen without bumping into these idiots. It makes simple tasks like opening an oven more dangerous.

They’re so dirty. So smelly. So disgusting. Slobber. Litter. Shit and piss everywhere.

They destroy your things. They get into things they aren’t supposed to, like the garbage.

They jump on you with their fucking claws and it fucking HURTS.

Depending on the pet, having company is difficult or impossible. Loud fucking BARK BARKABRK and jumping every fucking where. Making the guests miserable. Nope, we can’t sit down and enjoy ourselves, we have to waste 10 minutes “letting the dog get to know you” sniff sniff sniff fucking rub your disgusting nose all over me. God I fucking hate dogs.

They do everything in their power to run off and then you have to chase them and they think it’s a fucking game.

[u/RexFiller]

For me, it's mainly how other people's pets are constantly interfering with my life.

• Take kids to the park, dogs are running off leash and I have to be on high alert before one charges at them, tries to bite.

• go to the grocery store, dog is sniffing (and I assume licking) produce so now I need to go elsewhere

• relaxing at home? Nope, neighbor dog is barking at another neighbor dog constantly.

• go over friends house for dinner. Dog smells horrible and is constantly trying to eat from your plate while the owner thinks "they must like you."

• mowing my lawn to find dog poop and spots where dogs have peed and killed the grass.

And also how taking care of a dog is extremely difficult as in a constant chore or full time dog. Cant go on vacation without either bringing the dog and imposing on eveyrone else and stinking up a hotel room or Airbnb or pay hundreds for kennel. Not worth.

[u/Asleep-Assistance290]

Same here. I like a quality animal that is well bred, well trained, well mannered, fun, sweet and in the right environment. What bothers me is when people are highly entitled and disregard the safety, peace of mind and rights of their fellow citizens because they believe that domestic animals are more valuable than the lives of human beings.

[u/Hand-Cycle-Girl-33]

Not being able to give the animal the quality of life it deserves, financial cost of pet ownership, cleaning up after the pet and keeping our living space hair/smell free, using boarding/pet sitting when traveling and emotional toll the eventual death of the pet will have on me.

I've also known many people with service dogs (real ones, not ESA) and it breaks their hearts when the dog has to be retired from service.

Sometimes it sounds nice to have a pet but then when you logically understand the amount of work it takes the thought loses any and all luster.

[u/Infinite-Mark5208]

I hate how pet owners are okay with an animal that’s not house trained. Like I cannot stand the fact that they’re totally okay with their dog, cat, ferret etc taking a shit in the corner of the living room. At that point, if they can’t be trained to shit in a designated spot, then they need to go outside. 

[u/StonerLonerGirl → u/Infinite-Mark5208]

They don’t care because they’re usually just renting. Which is even fucking worse.

[u/SpecificTea5554]

It's unethical to neuter them just to keep them as a pet

I'm allergic

I want my home to be clean

I don't want to deal with animal droppings on my property or anywhere else

I don't want to get emotionally attached to an animal and have it die in 15 years

I don't want to have to get a sitter every time I want to travel

I don't want to leave it alone for 8 hrs a day and just use it as emotional support in my downtime

Lotsss of reasons

[u/ddmf]

I'm allergic to a lot of animals and the fact that there is a lot of signage and rules regarding allergens in restaurants but none regarding bringing dogs really blows my mind.

Also you don't know whether a dog has been cared for, trained properly, or treated right - so the huge thing bounding up to you off the leash may be dangerous but you don't know, so you have to treat them all as dangerous and ensure they stay away from you. Not easy when owners allow them to run around with impunity and get arsey when you ask them to keep their dog under control.

[u/annie_kingdom]

Fine with small pets. But not OK WITH VIOLENT BIG PETS.

[u/klaviergarten]

Honestly, I don’t hate animals. I hate the people who don’t train their animals. I have empathy for animals, especially ones in bad situations because of said owners. Certain pets I like more than others. I think lizards are cool but I really dislike dogs. Either way, it can be a hassle to own pets, and many people get them without thinking about the consequences. In turn, everyone around them bears the burden of their shitty ownership.

[u/Anvilmar1]

Why am I not a pet owner?

1) I'm allergic.

2) Pets are filthy. I want my personal space to be clean.

3) I can't be bothered to take them outside to defecate/urinate.

4) Even if I had the motivation and time to take them on a walk every day, I can't be arsed to pick up or clean their fucking excrement off the ground.

5) I don't want to be responsible for feeding them.

6) I don't want to be responsible to provide them with medical care throughout their lives.

7) I want to be able to travel freely whenever, wherever, without making plans. I don't want to be responsible for finding a carer for them or imposing on other people family or friends.

8) I can't be bothered to train them.

9) I don't want the anxiety of my pet injuring someone else or even making them uncomfortable with their actions. All of it will reflect poorly on me. Fuck that.

10) And most important of all, I don't have the need to be loved by them or feel needed by them, as other people do. I prefer having those needs met by having meaningful relationships with actual thinking human beings, and not dumb animals.

[u/-Hippy_Joel-]

They are gross, inconvenient, annoying and expensive. Also, I don’t need an animal to project my narcissistic personality onto to garner attention.

[u/architectzero]

1. Fur is filth - I personally do not have pets because I will not tolerate living in their filth. Humans are filthy enough.
   
2. Animals are neither children, nor fashion accessories - I have nothing but contempt for people that use animals as surrogates for children and/or as fashion accessories, or anyone that tolerates and tries to normalize these behaviours.
   

I have nothing against animals or normal pet owners. Actual working animals are fine to be in public places, even if they are filthy their purpose supersedes my aversion. It’s the unhinged animal lovers that drive me crazy: the unhinged “emotional support” assholes who bring their filthy, untrained animals into human spaces and demand that their behaviour be treated as normal; the people that buy dangerous dog breeds as a way to passive aggressively intimidate everyone around them; and the narcissistic nutters that use animals (particularly exotic ones) as a way to draw attention to themselves.

[u/FunkOff]

The worst part about pets is having fur everywhere in the house. You will never get it all. Then there's the smell... even if you dont smell it, guests can smell your pets as soon as they step in the door. Then there's the animal waste... which is way more gross than child waste, and animals can never learn to use the potty. Animals also bite and scratch... and they never learn to talk... except some expensive birds, sort of. Dogs do property damage... reptiles and other terrarium creatures stink to high heaven and will never love you. It's just a mess with pets

[u/JustNota-- → u/FunkOff]

"animals can never learn to use the potty" Some actually can, my aunt had a cat that could use the toilet and sometimes flush.

[u/Wife_and_Mama]

I hate the way people treat their pets today. They don't train them or discipline them. They have gross habits, like feeding them from the table, allowing them to lick faces, taking them to the grocery store, letting them in their beds or on their furniture. Their houses smell bad because of this. Then they have the nerve to judge me for not allowing my pets in my bedroom or on the couch, making them go outside when we eat, because they're animals and if a dog steals baby's corn dog one more time, I'll put him on marketplace. Heaven forbid someone decide a pet doesn't fit in their life anymore and that it's unfair to everyone involved and find a good home for them. Then they're absolutely monsters. 

In short, I hate how pedestalized pets have become. They're animals. They're not children or family members.

[u/Iloveallhumanity]

I suggest you read ALL of the info you find from us here on this 'petfree' site (and also read everything on the 'dogfree' site) before you ask us to 're-invent the wheel' for you. If you are truly curious, you will do the work (and ask questions after you have read it all ~ if any more questions arise?) It is all on these two sites. You just have to do the work and actually read what we all think and have taken the time to write it down for you and all to read.

[u/ToOpineIsFine → u/Iloveallhumanity]

i'm with you on this one. I'm stunned at the high-quality answers given to this zero-karma person. I thought there was a lot of inappropriateness in a relatively small post.

[u/ResponseSorry3391 → u/Iloveallhumanity]

Hey! Thank you for your response. I didn't mean any harm by my post at all - I also didn't know there was a site, I was informed of the reddit by someone who was very against this reddit and I wanted to hear the other side since I had only heard negative things and I knew it couldn't be all negative/how it was represented to me. I myself am of the opinion that animals belong outdoors/in working relationships to humans so I wanted to hear more thoughts regarding pet-free or anti pet from some semi-likeminded folks online. The site showed up as having malware so I'm not going to be touching it, but I do appreciate everyone's responses.

[u/Peachy-BunBun]

I'm allergic to cats and dogs, I don't want to bring allergens into my household even though I find them cute and enjoyed caring for cats when I use to have them (I had one that would purr on me when I would have pain flares in my legs). The sad thing is, I never realized my breathing problems were because of allergies because I've always had cats or an indoor-smoker until I was 24. I've never had a dog as an adult and the closest I've gotten is when I fantasize about farming dairy goats (not close at all, in other words). Dogs, especially the breeds I like, do not fit my current lifestyle and I'm not going to subject them to misery just because I think they're cute/useful (every breed I like is a herding or livestock protecting breed. Great for fantasy-me, not so great for real-me). I've had rodents too, I will never get another hamster because of the effort/reward ratio. Adorable little creatures but really really not worth the hassle. Maybe in the future I would like to have rats again but they need to be hairless  (had hairless and hairy rats and partner breaks out from touching the hairy ones) and I need to have time to train them (they can be potty trained and learn tricks like a dog). I definitely don't have time for any pet because I have a baby and a toddler. People who treat their pets like they're their babies are also strange to me, I would call my pets my babies but I would never act like some of the people listed here, it was a term of endearment more than a literal thought. Coming across people who are adamant about them being their children was quite a shock!

[u/petfree-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your submission has been removed from r/petfree for the following reason(s):

. We are no longer accepting posts/comments by people who own pets or are really into pets. Adding a flair to comment/post if you own pets or really enjoy pets may lead to a permanent ban.

. If these pets will be your last ones please flair accordingly to avoid confusion.

For information regarding this and similar issues please see our subreddit rules . If you feel this was done in error, please reach out to the mod team for review.

[u/GamerChillPill]

I don't want to deal with responsiblity to any living thing but me. I just wanna be able to go out, do what I want, do who I want, and not deal with taking care of anything or spending on anything but me. If I want to party all weekend then I don't hve to worry about having to come home to deal with anything. I don't really care my place is trashed, but I don't want having to clean up animal shit or hair. Human piss and vomit is enough to manage.

[u/James_Vaga_Bond]

I don't dislike other people's pets, but I don't see the appeal in owning one myself. It's an extra sacrifice that I don't find rewarding. I don't understand how so many people see being needed by a dependant as somehow desirable. I derive my sense of personal value from my contributions to my community, not from any one relationship with a helpless individual. There's a lot of arguments on this sub about pet nutters seeing pets as substitutes for children. I'm of the opinion that wanting to feel needed by someone is also a bad reason to have kids, since it was you who created that.need in the.first place. Fulfilling the need which you created doesn't make you exceptional, it's just a minimum obligation that you've taken on. Same goes for pets. We bred them to be incapable of taking care of themselves. Taking care of them doesn't then give you any special value, even if you have value in the eyes of the pet in question. And let's be real, all it takes to "earn" a pet's love is some dehydrated animal byproducts.