PSA: PETA wants us to stop using the word ‘pets’

Apologize to your four-legged companion immediately, PETA says calling our animal friends “pets” is offensive. Joking aside, let’s break down how silly this really is.

The organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, believes that calling and referring to our doggie friends as “pets” is super offensive, but honestly, are any of us surprised by this claim? PETA is no stranger to shocking headlines that have us shaking our heads. While this isn’t their craziest claim, it’s pretty up there! Don’t get us wrong, we love all animals, especially everyone’s favorite pet, dogs! But this is crossing the line a little bit (okay, a lot).

Jennifer White, a senior media officer for PETA, was interviewed by Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to further explain (or try to) this new claim. Why is calling them a pet offensive and what term should we use, instead?

White explains that “pet” is a derogatory term and not “animal-friendly language.” She adds that we should not believe ourselves to be their “owners” (fans of the terms “dog mom” or “pet parent” might be okay with this). She goes on, “when you refer to animals, not as the living beings they are, but as an inanimate object, it can reflect our treatment on these animals.”

Dog O’Day, and I’m pretty sure the majority of us all, highly disagrees. We love our pets and think of them as companions, best friends, even. Whether we call them “our pet” or not, we all know our doggies are the boss of the house! We spoil them rotten and wouldn’t change a thing about it.

According to a quick poll Good Morning Britain conducted on Twitter, the majority agrees. The verdict: PETA is barking mad. 

Instead on focusing on what we call the animals in our home, PETA should focus on animal cruelty matters and more impactful issues. Watch the complete interview, below: 

What do you call your four-legged pals? Do you agree with PETA here or are they barking up the wrong tree?