Animal Planet shows

Originally Posted by EmeraldSongbird

I'm not being a smarty-pants, I'm genuinely asking... when you say AR you mean Animal Rights, yes? And I am just totally confused at why they would call it that but be wanting to eliminate pet and animal ownership. Like... can you explain more to me? I am just... out of the loop, I guess, I have no idea what all of that means.

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Animal Rights as in equal rights for animals, meaning that we cannot "subject them to slavery" (as some of the really far out ones put it) - in other words keep them. They believe that having animals in our lives, in anyway, is unnatural. That domesticated animals are somehow terribly wrong. They would rather fully domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, livestock, etc be slowly eradicated by no more ever being bred or kept. That death is better, hence why groups like HSUS and PETA will kill animals rather an adopt them out.

The core individuals running these organizations are not animal lovers. Newkirk and Pacelle admit such.
They want no interaction between humans and animals ultimately. Through clever marketing they rope in the unsuspecting who think "they help animals" or that the millions of dollars they take in ever make it out actually benefit the real shelters and rescues that work to help find animals homes with people.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Most people would claim those with more than two cats are "crazy cat ladies", btw. I think we have a few with 17? 20? or even nearly 30 cats.

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Hehe, like me? I have 20 in the house right now. 3 are kittens and (I swear!) I'll adopt them out, but the other 17 are staying.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I liked the "Dog Town" shows.

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Actually, Dog Town was on NatGeo channel, not AP.

Honestly, there are very few Animal Planet shows I can watch now. The "Fatal Attractions" shows make me want to scream. They villainize the poor animals (who are invariably killed), when the owners were the idiots who got themselves munched. Millions of people keep exotics without getting themselves killed, but that doesn't make for a good sensationalistic show.

The only "Animal Cops" I can watch is the New York show. The others make me want to slap somebody. Especially Detroit, with their breed bans and reptile ban. And the "cops" (they aren't real cops in Detroit) don't know a THING about animals. They'll say that ferrets are wild animals who shouldn't be kept as pets (ferrets are more domesticated than cats are, they don't live wild anywhere in the world), that feral cats need to be killed, that pit bulls are bloodthirsty dogs who can't be saved, etc. And Miami isn't any better. Their shelter has something like a 90% kill rate (Google it). The only high point in the Miami show is that one guy who saves the reptiles. Philly isn't too bad but still not as good as the New York show.

I do like "Pit Boss", "Pit Bulls and Parolees", and "It's Me or the Dog". I LOVED "Emergency Vets" but I don't think it's on anymore.

Originally Posted by Willowy

Their shelter has something like a 90% kill rate (Google it). The only high point in the Miami show is that one guy who saves the reptiles.

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ok... but the high kill rate in the Miami's shelter is certainly not Animal Planet's fault

Originally Posted by Willowy

Honestly, there are very few Animal Planet shows I can watch now. The "Fatal Attractions" shows make me want to scream. They villainize the poor animals (who are invariably killed), when the owners were the idiots who got themselves munched. Millions of people keep exotics without getting themselves killed, but that doesn't make for a good sensationalistic show.

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Thanks for being someone who sees the forest.
The actual number of people who get harmed by their exotic pets is incredibly low. To even get a number they usually have to average it over several years instead of just per year for other causes of death.

And yes, it was the Detroit one that horrified me the most. Killing 6 week old, possibly, pit bull mix puppies... I think it was the Houston one that had the cat slammer on it. I remember some of the Phoenix shows as being ok, though. New York was alright, though the behind the scenes stuff at that ASPCA there does is terrible. The cute happy dogs they nurse back to health in the shows don't always (almost never) go on to no-kill organizations willing to take and rehabilitate them. So again, there, it's lies for the sake of making a good show. (look up Oreo's law if you're interested. It's sad, though)


I liked the Emergency Vets, too. The one shot in the huge Alameda East clinic. One of the best stories on there was the dog that had eaten some skimpy underwear, when as they put it "the lady of the house did not wear those". I think the last show, a best of, was done around 2005-ish?

I like Animal Planet, but there are few shows that interest me. My current favorites are Underdog to Wonderdog, It's Me or the Dog, and Pit Boss. I only like shows about our fuzzy little friends: Dogs 101 and Cats 101; but those shows are few and far between.

Shows/documentaries about wild animals do not interest me much. AP tend to focus more on the wild side of the animal kingdom. The schedule is chock full of them. I guess I can't consider myself an animal lover if the only animals that interests me are dogs and cats.

I guess I'm an anomaly because I don't watch Animal Planet at all. Nada. I used to watch some of the Animal Cop shows or whatever they're called, but I don't want to cry myself through a tv program, but that's just me. Then again, I don't watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Jon & Kate, or anything like that either. To me (ME! JMO!) those shows are just plain stupid.

Other than a very few programs, I don't really much tv at all anymore.

Originally Posted by EmeraldSongbird

I'm not being a smarty-pants, I'm genuinely asking... when you say AR you mean Animal Rights, yes? And I am just totally confused at why they would call it that but be wanting to eliminate pet and animal ownership. Like... can you explain more to me? I am just... out of the loop, I guess, I have no idea what all of that means.

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PETA states up front (if you ask) that their goal is zero animal ownership in the world. That's why they so nonchalantly kill the pets they "save" from shelters. They believe that ALL domestic cats and dogs are "artificial" animals, bred for the use of humans, and have no right to exist on a properly "wild" planet.

^PETA is sort of old news, HSUS is the big one with all the money now and the same beliefs and goals.

Originally Posted by Winchester

Other than a very few programs, I don't really much tv at all anymore.

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Probably for the best after all. All I ever really watch anymore are shows about astronomy, physics, and geology/earth science related. You just can't put a sensational spin on rock or lake formation.

Originally Posted by Winchester

I guess I'm an anomaly because I don't watch Animal Planet at all. Nada. I used to watch some of the Animal Cop shows or whatever they're called, but I don't want to cry myself through a tv program, but that's just me. Then again, I don't watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Jon & Kate, or anything like that either. To me (ME! JMO!) those shows are just plain stupid.

Other than a very few programs, I don't really much tv at all anymore.

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I don't watch Animal Planet either - I cannot stomach those animal cop shows, I get too upset. I am very sensitive when it comes to animal cruelty, I cannot even read about it.

I prefer shows on Discovery that talk about inanimate objects like What a Tool, or How do they do it? I also love Mythbusters I also watch Discovery T & L (in the US it is TLC, I believe?) when they have shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink.

But if you have a show that has animals suffering...I won't be watching it. I haven't even seen Marley and Me because I know I won't be able to handle it.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Thanks for being someone who sees the forest.

The actual number of people who get harmed by their exotic pets is incredibly low. To even get a number they usually have to average it over several years instead of just per year for other causes of death.

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Hey! I knew exactly what you were talking about. I keep exotic reptiles, me and my family, and I have talked to several with exotic cats, trying to learn from them. I get that Fatal Attractions is very sensationalized, but at the same time, like I said, I think it's important that people who shouldn't have these kinds of animals don't have them, and the ones that do get reminded that anything could go wrong at any point in time. We choose to keep animals that have instincts and we need to be as educated as we can about them to keep the peace, so to speak.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

PETA states up front (if you ask) that their goal is zero animal ownership in the world. That's why they so nonchalantly kill the pets they "save" from shelters. They believe that ALL domestic cats and dogs are "artificial" animals, bred for the use of humans, and have no right to exist on a properly "wild" planet.

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That is HORRIBLE!!! I honestly didn't know that... I don't know where I've been. I mean, I always thought PETA was a strange organization and kinda rolled my eyes at them. And, I always knew there was some difference because animal rights and animal welfare - I guess I just didn't know how drastic! I understand now why Betty White is adamant she's for animal health and welfare, NOT Animal Rights. That is just horrible, I am stunned. I probably sound so naive and dense right now, lol, but I honestly had no clue and I am such a huge animal lover! Obviously, I think all of us on here are. But yeah... That's just... absolutely crazy. I won't get too religious here but it's my belief (based on Genesis) that God gave us dominion and responsibility to care for the animals of this planet, not kill them! I think that's why animals have intelligence, you know, like, we were meant in some way to interact with them. I don't know, maybe I'm getting too crazy because I'm on one hour of sleep over here.

I just can't believe that. PETA and others, I guess, masquerade themselves as loving animals and yet they do this kind of thing? I know some genuine animal lovers who support PETA because they "love animals", but apparently not!

Now, strange_wings, I REALLY understand where you're coming from!

Originally Posted by EmeraldSongbird

Now, strange_wings, I REALLY understand where you're coming from!

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You want to really know where I'm coming from? Look at what is happening with the Lacy act right now. We will soon be criminals if they get that bill amended the way they want.

First it will be absolutely no moving pythons, boas, and a few other snake species on the list over state lines for any reason what so ever because they're "injurious" animals. Get a job in another state and want to be a responsible pet owner and take all of your pets with you? Nope, that would be breaking federal law.
If the Lacy act is changed that will make it easier for each state to then say they don't want you keeping these injurious animals, either. There's also plans to add amphibians to the Lacy act as well.

(note: When the Lacy Act was created it was never intended to be used for these purposes at all. It was to protect native species from over hunting and collecting.)

Now do you really see? HSUS and PETA are pushing these bills and AP is an animal rights propaganda mouthpiece for HSUS slipping in a little of that ideology in bite sized pieces so that the majority of people do not even know what they're watching. People get a negative opinion of those who keep reptiles and exotics because they "saw a show on it".

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You want to really know where I'm coming from? Look at what is happening with the Lacy act right now. We will soon be criminals if they get that bill amended the way they want.

First it will be absolutely no moving pythons, boas, and a few other snake species on the list over state lines for any reason what so ever because they're "injurious" animals. Get a job in another state and want to be a responsible pet owner and take all of your pets with you? Nope, that would be breaking federal law.
If the Lacy act is changed that will make it easier for each state to then say they don't want you keeping these injurious animals, either. There's also plans to add amphibians to the Lacy act as well.

(note: When the Lacy Act was created it was never intended to be used for these purposes at all. It was to protect native species from over hunting and collecting.)

Now do you really see? HSUS and PETA are pushing these bills and AP is an animal rights propaganda mouthpiece for HSUS slipping in a little of that ideology in bite sized pieces so that the majority of people do not even know what they're watching. People get a negative opinion of those who keep reptiles and exotics because they "saw a show on it".

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I knew about the Lacy Act... my dad and friends at the vet school are actively trying to combat it, along with all of the other reptile lovers out there.

I am disappointed to hear about the HSUS being an advocate to this, as well. I thought they were actually trying to do good things.

I always try to look at things from every angle. I think there are those moronic souls who have taken exotics into their keeping and not known what in the heck they were doing, and because of them, we are facing these kind of things, in a way. At the same time, I don't think we should have to pay for their mistakes and not be able to keep exotics. Does that make any sense? I try to see things from every side. BUT... AR, the way you've described it, is completely unacceptable.

If I didn't have Bella as my constant companion, I'm not quite sure I'd be able to handle things that come at me all the time. My animals mean everything to me.

Originally Posted by EmeraldSongbird

I am disappointed to hear about the HSUS being an advocate to this, as well. I thought they were actually trying to do good things.

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They don't hide their ultimate goal, no human and animal interaction. They no more hide their name on the bills they're pushing than PETA does. I really don't know why people are surprised when they find this out? HumaneWatch is a watchdog group set up to keep an eye on HSUS, let people know more of the truth behind the organization, and fight them. Of course it's very anti-HSUS. Another site you may want to look at is Rexano.

As I said several posts ago, Animal Planet has some executives that are chairmen in HSUS, plus there's R.O.A.R. Trying to deny any connection between the two is pointless. If you have AR executives and other staff deciding what shows are made, you end up with AR related shows.


And yes, there are stupid people. There's stupid people that keep dogs and cats, and stupid people who have children. Bans and making everyone within those groups seem like delusional freaks isn't the solution to that, either.

Originally Posted by Carolina

Yes, I do understand some people like John might have a problem with the wild animal ownership issue and that he feels the station position might be unfair to him personally, but actually there is a LOT of people who adopt wild animals who should NOT be doing so; and in the end, some might be upset, but it also might be a very good thing that the issue is addressed.

Owning a wild animal is not for everybody, and I see nothing wrong having shows about it.

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Yes, I will not watch animal planet for this very reason alone. Yes, there are people who should not own (exotics) wild cats etc. There are people who shouldn't have kids, there are people who should never drive a car, I can go on. The problem however, is when ANY of these shows address exotic animal ownership, it is VERY biased, with lots of false information. They address the few bad owners and make it look as if ALL exotic animal owners are bad. This of course, is 100% false. If this was true, I could say that everyone here who owns a domesitc cat, dog etc, is a bad owner, because of the few bad owners out there. When addressing the issue of exotic animals, they should educate properly, as I do. You will never see AP doing a series, showing the responsible exotic animal owners out there and pointing out that no, owning these types of animals is not for everyone. However, for those who can devote their lives to it, it is a very rewarding experience and the ownership of such animals should never be banned. And HSUS, don't even get me started on them. They are the new PETA and for that matter, are even worse.

I didn't know that about HSUS until now.

I suspected Animal Planet because they gave an award to big Cat rescue in Tamp, an organization I hate for it's misrepresentation of exotic cats and exotic cat owners. I still waych Animal Planet. Even though they had some misinformation in Cats 101. An "M" on the forehead doesn't stand for "Maine Coon".

If you like Big Cats search your cable listings for Nat Geo Wild. It's new in my area and I like it better than Animal Planet.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/wild/shows/

I got fed up with AP years ago.
They had a show the name of which escapes me, but they followed an animal through pregnancy to birth, sometimes zoo animals, but more often than not, it was someone's pet.
The excuses we all know:
"We want our children to experiance the miracle of birth"
"She has such a great personality/color/coat that we wanted more like her" etc ad nauseum.

All the while they did NOTHING to discourage wanton breeding by what is essentially a BYB, nor did they promote the fostering of already pregnant animals.

That single series was perhaps one of the most irresponsible things I have ever personally seen broadcast by any network, let alone by the Discovery network.

Originally Posted by Kiwideus

I don't watch Animal Planet either - I cannot stomach those animal cop shows, I get too upset. I am very sensitive when it comes to animal cruelty, I cannot even read about it. :

But if you have a show that has animals suffering...I won't be watching it. I haven't even seen Marley and Me because I know I won't be able to handle it.

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I'm with you on this one!! I can't tolerate those programs at all. I'm totally aware of what cruelty people can inflict on animals. I don't feel like crying myself to the point of dehydration! I watch Cats 101 and Dogs 101. That's it.I already have to watch TV with one finger on the remote in case one of those devastating commercials come on.....