Please note, I do not support the use of the term “adoption” when refering to the purchase of an animal. It belittles true adoption of human children and also undermines our rights to own pets.

You will also never hear me use the cutesie terms “fur baby” or “fur kids”. These are not children. They are well-bred canine companions who need to be loved as dogs. Anthropomorphizing our pets can lead to not being able to recognise their needs or not being able to anticipate dangerous situations.

I support responsible pet ownership and good animal husbandry. Language is powerful and I believe if we want to maintain our rights to keep animals in our lives, we have to start with the way we speak of them.