Is it OK to say we are cat "owners" ??

Originally Posted by carolinalima

First and foremost, do not shoot me - this is not how I feel, but it is the reality... My kitties are like my kids - that's how much I love them...
But... Well... In this society, we own our pets, no matter how you call it. We either bought them, or adopted them for a fee. We keep them in our homes, and while it is a great idea that they own us..... they really own our hearts; not us. They still depend on us, and if we don't want to feed them... well... the truth is, we don't. We have legal rights and responsibilities. We also have the legal right to transfer ownership, in which case we would re-home our pets to other families.
While there are breeders, and currency involved when transferring guardians for animals (or selling an animal, really), animal, will always be property. It hurts to say, but it is just how it is....

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That is how I see it, too. Although my kitties are my "kids", I do refer to them as "my cats" or I'll say that "I own 'x' many cats". When I refer to them like that, I am telling the world that yes, they are legally my property, and as such, I have a Constitutional right to defend them - as I have been known to tell dog owners whose dogs try to wander onto my property (that also goes for protecting the feline strays and ferals that I feed on MY land).
So I think saying that you're a cat owner is fine

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...If you want to change people to a more PC way of thinking - how about working on people you hear around you tossing around racial slurs and other hateful things?

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Well... mere political correctness doesn't mean much. I'd rather try to inspire actual understanding and compassion, rather than just the impression of it, y'know?

However, you're absolutely right that words do have power, and that's exactly why I personally do try to avoid the word "owner." But I surely wasn't attacking others for using it. I meant no offense to you or anyone, I promise.

Strange wings, since you've raised the subject of racial slurs (and that's a subject that's been raised here before in a way that still upsets me), I feel a need to respond to your challenge: I assure you that nobody has ever used any kind of hate speech in my presence without being verbally whacked for it. As far back as junior high, I was getting into trouble at school by defending minorities -- the only trouble I ever got into, because I was very shy. But I did stand up against injustice.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

StrangeWings, since you've raised the subject of racial slurs (and that's a subject that's been raised here before in a way that still upsets me), I feel a need to respond to your challenge: I assure you that nobody has ever used any kind of hate speech in my presence without being verbally whacked for it. As far back as junior high, I was getting into trouble at school by defending minorities -- the only trouble I ever got into, because I was very shy. But I did stand up against injustice.

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Oh I know without a doubt that you're not the type to tolerate people treating others poorly. That's part of your personality that shines though clearly in all of your messages on here.

What's hard is when you're at work, or even clocked out. I had that situation a few nights ago - I wasn't working but had stopped by the store to pick something up and there was some crazy guy in there going on about Obama, guns being taken away, and using the N word. Unfortunately the regulars all recognize me and if I had outright called him down for that I'd get in trouble or have something started when I was on shift. ..I did, not so subtly, call him crazy and after he started using courser language said "I have better things to do" slammed down what I was holding and walked out.
If it wouldn't have gotten me fired I would have done more because usually behavior like that sickens me a bit. I've probably crossed the line a few other times, like the other day telling someone they could try actually getting their dog spayed instead of hoping she wouldn't get pregnant.

I just think we'd do better to encourage those around us to spay, neuter, and properly provide for their animals than fuss over who owns what. Who cares if someone says "I own two dogs", it's more important that they say "I own two dogs that are both spay/neutered, get plenty of walks and attention, and are both healthy".
How one sees the animals (or even other people) in their life has nothing to do with this - a sad fact, most of the pets that people on this forum have get better medical treatment than I did as a child (had nothing to do with money) and my father didn't think he owned me. It's the same for many..

Oh, good. Thanks for reassuring me! *whew*

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I say i own them because their no one elses but mine

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^ Sooo true!

Originally Posted by twokatz

Don't worry, not gonna shoot you, but. If you have kids they live in your home, you are responsible for them, they depend on you and you have legal rights and responsbilites. If you don't feed them the same thing happens as with your child, they get sick, they could die and someone needs to report it to the authorities. You have the right to "transfer ownership" with kids to, it's called adoption or giving up parental rights. I'm not trying to criticize you, I would just like to see thinking change. Life should not be owned or considered property, it makes it too easy to abuse or dispose of at will for whatever reason. I have plenty of people, including family at times, who can't understaand that I treat my animals with the same rules as I would any human. That's my opinion, popular or unpopular, I cherish all life.

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I doesnt matter how we feel - that is my point. We don't buy kids - we buy pets. We don't sell kids - we sell pets. As I said - pretty or not, reality is reality. Do I agree with it? No - I don't believe me; I do not agree. But yet, we live in this world, and while we do, and while we buy and sell pets - well, we own them. This is a reference to the meaning of ownership only. Nothing more.

It doesn't bother me, really. I've probably said it before.

I say "feline friend" to dscribe myself Weird, I know. But, it just seems to fit.

I've never thought about it before but yes I have said I own my cats.

I never say I "own cats", but I say I have cats. Once people know I have cats (witch is about 5min into a convo with someone) I call them my babies, the chirlden, or the meow meows. I don't mind if people say they own cats as long as the kitty is happy, healthy and loved. Witch if those are covered we all know that its the cat who is the real owner. I often tell people I wish I was a pet cat... what a rough life sleep when you want and where you want, you don't have to work, food is handed to you, you get love when you demand it. Sounds real rough to me!! I don't think if that was my life I would be worrying about my human saying they own me becasue I know the truth.

I think saying that you are a pet "owner" doesnt necesarily mean you own the animal, but you own the responsibility or taking care of it and ensuring its health and well being....