Creepy Crawly Warning

[crow_noir]

What is your opinion of the Creepy Crawly Warning?

Prompted by the http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=127869 thread.

I always wondered what others thought of it.

[Hellow]

I'ts not creepy crawly.

[crow_noir]

I actually don't like it at all and think it is rather disrespectful.

I have an absolute fear and hatred of pigs, but i still wouldn't want the creepy crawly warning up there. That pet is Pet of the Day. It is THEIR day to shine in the spotlight and they certainly aren't creepy crawly to their owners. Not much of a spotlight if it's censored now is it?

I know if it were my pet my feelings would be hurt if my pet was labeled that way.

I go though conniption fits when a pig is pet of the day. Sometimes I run to the other side of the room and am crying my eyes out. (Well, recently i've been Ok, but the first time i seen a pig on here i went psycho. I had to have S.O. hold me for about 10 minutes.) Even though it was traumatic for me... I still do not wish for there to be a creepy crawly warning on ANY Pet of the Day.

[Twisterdog]

I think it's ridiculous, personally.

Who decides what animals are offensive to others, and which aren't? Maybe I don't like cats. (I do, it's just hypothetical) So the sight of a Cat of the Day picture gives me the creeps. Do I get to have a "Feline Warning" imposed over the kitty's picture to appease me?

Maybe someone is afraid of large dogs. Do they get to have "Canine Warning" imposed over the Dog of the Day if it happens to be a rottweiler?

I actually have a friend who is TERRIFIED of birds. They totally creep her out. I don't think she minds snakes, though. So is she "wrong"?

So who decides? Some people's phobias/dislikes/personal opinions matter more than other people's?

I think it's discriminatory and offensive, personally. Not that it's a HUGE deal in the big scheme of things, but still ... something to think about ... is it right to call someone's pet "creepy" and imply it is so ugly/horrifying/hideous that it deserves its picture blacked out? Is that really saying "every pet is special"?


Also a thread going about this in Town Hall, if anyone wants to put their two cents worth in over there, too.

Creepy Crawly Town Hall Thread

[CathyBogart]

I have a good friend who is petrified of fish. Even she knows it's wierd, but there ya go.

[sandragonfly]

it never should be there, I just don't feel right... never do.

I hope it won't have to be used again. but if moderators insist, thank you for adding a little heart in there.

[tikeyas_mom]

I really dont think it is nessisary to have that warning. But if there are people out there that think the animal is going to jump out and get them ,then maybe its a good thing its up there lol.

[catnapper]

Whenever I see that warning I always click it to see what the pet of the day is. Otherwise I never look. So basically, its helping the creepy crawly get more looks.

My husband has a HUGE fear of snakes. HUGE. I'll have to ask him what he thinks of the creepy crawly warning. Would he also be more apt to see what lays behind door #1 or would he take the warning to heart and know there's something behind it that he won't like?

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I think it's a good idea, having known people who are extremely afraid of snakes and such. However, I think that instead of "Creepy Crawly Warning", it should say what sort of pet it is.

[Karen]

Reiterating from the original thread:

Folks, snakes do slither, spiders do crawl and creep. Yes, some people are afraid of other animals, but I doubt people who are afraid of cats ever visit CatoftheDay.com, likewise for dogs and DogoftheDay.com. We used to not have the warning, and got upset and teary emails from people when we featured those pets with "no warning." So we instituted the warning icon, and no owner has ever complained about it, so please don't take offense on their behalf. People who have pet snakes are, I find, well aware that some people are afraid of them, heck, that's why people like Daisy's owner take snakies around to educate people about them.

And, frankly, just like the biggest crowds at the zoo are usually around the bat cage, I know people who visit Dog and Cat, but usually skip Pet - but the "creepy crawly" icon draws them in every time.

[mrspunkysmom]

I voted for neither, but I was surprised that Snakes made it as Creepy Crawly, but snakes don't bother me. I really expected to see some gross bugs or a spider, and not a snake.

So while I would have been creeped out by Arthropods, other might be creeped out by reptiles or amphibians.

Anne

[luvofallhorses]

I like it! because I am not a big fan of snakes.

[theterrierman]

I think it's great. Alot of people are really freaked by reptiles, and I think that it's just plain fair to give them a warning. I think that it's a minor price to pay for everyone to enjoy POTD.

[Alysser]

I don't care for it much, as some people said, many many people are freaked out by dogs, birds, mice, etc. So, I don't get why it's only for reptiles and spiders. But I'm not one too judge, so I'll just stop yapping now.

[Giselle]

I think it's fine. My mother has a real phobia of snakes. She almost crashed her car once because she thought a hose in the street was a snake. When you consider that, I think it's considerate to put a warning on certain pets. I think the wording might be a bit offensive, though. "Creepy crawly" would not be my phrase of choice. I think the warning with the name of the animal's species would be a better idea.