‘Pet’ Is a Four-Letter Word

Published by PETA.

Pet names: good. Calling animals pets: bad.

is your rabbit sick

The Journal of Animal Ethics has released a report from three top universities that confirms what PETA has been saying for three decades: The way people talk about animals directly affects how we think about and treat them. Researchers determined that words like “critter,” “beast,” and “pet” are derogatory and suggests using the much more respectful “companion.”

The journal goes on to recommend dropping “owner” from our vernacular and instead calling ourselves  “human carers” (we like “guardians” too).

why peta opposes calling animals pets© iStock.com/sdominick

You may have noticed that we are always careful about our language usage here at PETA. Making the kind and easy choice to stop calling animals pets is just one small way that you can start influencing people around you to be more mindful of animals’ unique personalities, needs, and desires.

Want to do even more for animal companions?

Be sure to always adopt from a reputable, socially-conscious animal shelter.

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind