Is 'Pet' A Derogatory Term?

Academic professors are suggesting that calling your domestic dogs, cats, hamsters etc 'pets' is insulting them. Instead, they should be called 'companion animals' and owners should be known as 'human carers'.

The Journal of Animal Ethics, a new academic publication devoted an entire issue on these animal terms. It is edited by Revd Professor Andrew Linzey, a theologian and director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. He has received an honorary degree from the Archbishop of Canterbury for his work promoting the rights of 'God's sentient creatures'.

They feel that terms such as 'wildlife' are also insulting for the animals and they should be referred as 'free living'.

Now their stance is that such derogatory language about animals can affect the way they are treated. Thus, they feel 'pets' is definitely a derogatory term and if humans are referred to as 'pet owners', it means that the animals are merely some property or a thing to be possessed.

Not only that, the journal goes on to say that phrases such as 'sly as a fox', 'drunk as a skunk' and 'eat like a pig' are all unfair to the animals and should be removed.

Similarly, they oppose words like 'beasts' and 'critters' that are commonly associated with animals.

Well, I do understand where these professors are coming from but honestly speaking these words like human carers, companion animals and free life totally confused my mind in the beginning. They seem to be quite confusing in the first go. At the end of the day, animals will remain animals no matter how much love we give them and how humanely we treat them so I don't understand why these words sound so derogatory in the first place. They are not demeaning like calling somebody retarded or handicapped for instance.

I mean pets or pet owners or even wild life for that matter are not really harsh and demeaning words. Besides, the recommendations they have made are a bit too scientific barring free life.

It would be much better if we would practically do things to make things much better for both domestic and wild life animals rather than focus on words and there is so much room for improvement and action in this area alone.

Adorable Dog

Oh my god this is the best dog ever. I can't help but cuddle and hug him. Look at his cute innocent eyes, soft ears and the flabby skin. Too adorable!

Pet Drinker

I just saw this pet drinker and I think it's so cool. It allows the pets to drink pure, floating and healthy water all the time. This pet fountain is constantly refreshed through active carbon and is driven by a motor that doesn't make any noise. So, even if you are not around for long, you don't have to worry about your pets being thirsty.

I think this is absolutely cool for the pets. I am a bit worried my cats would start playing with it instead and can break it too though. But, some sober pets would be delighted to drink water through this super cool pet drinker.

Please help Buca find a loving home

Buca is a sweet little puppy. She is approximately 5 months old. She is a very sweet, loving dog and she loves people, particularly kids. But she’s all alone in the street & she’s just too little to be there and she desperately needs a good home. She’s been fed every day, but we need to find someone who could adopt her.You could see for yourself she's such a cute, lovable baby.

For more info on Buca, please contact Irma & this is her email address: irma_99_@hotmail.com

Country- Bosnia-Erzegovina
City – Sarajevo

Justice for all dogs who have basic rights to bark!

Again this is a sad story. A dog named Pepsi had been killed by few people as he barked at them.

Shikha Thakur got Pepsi when he was just a month old & he was like family. Death of a pet is always difficult to take, but if your pet is murdered, you can imagine that one can never get over it.

This is madness on the part of those people who killed Pepsi. A dog will bark. It’s natural.

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/justice_for_all_dogs_who_have_basic_rights_to_bark_-_ms_sukanya_kadyan