Creepy Crawly Warning

[elizabethann]

Is that new? I think it's so funny. I just finished say "eeewwwww" when I saw the snake (no offense to the snake...sorry). But then I saw the creepy crawly warning on the upper right-hand portion of the screen and laughed.

[RedHedd]

It's always been there as far as I can remember. I just wish I could see the warning when I click on the Pet of the Day page when the POTD is a creepy crawlie and then have the option to click if I want to view or not.

[Hellow]

It dosent really matter to me, in fact i love snakes.

[Karen]

No, it is not new. We use that whenever we have a snake or a spider as Pet of the Day, as some people have genuine phobias to those creatures, so they know not to click to the Pet of the Day homepage that day.

[sandragonfly]

the heart in it is new, it's better than before.

I actually feel bad for the POTD owners.

[crow_noir]

I only remember seeing it for the past year or two.

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've always wanted to state my disapproval of it, but let it slide. Since we're on the topic though it was a perfect opportunity that i couldn't pass up.

[sandragonfly]

I wish I could have the bravery armors of yours.

to be honest, if it were my snake, I'd be offended. totally. what about some dog or catphobic people? well, I'll never understand why.

again, I feel bad for them. there are a lot of snake, spider, rat pictures here under the titles without warnings anyway.

I hope I can request it will not be one of mine..

[Twisterdog]

There is also a thread going in Pet Poll about this, FYI.

Creepy Crawly Warning Poll

So I'll just copy my comments from that thread to this one ....

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 rottweiller?

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 it's picture blacked out? Is that really saying "every pet is special"?

[sandragonfly]

ah, thanks for the link.

I'd vote, disapproval. end of discussion. a good point was made, every pet is special.. if my horse was censored, s/he or I wouldn't feel that special.

I believe every creature deserves an equal spotlight and they'll deal with it. sorry but this is why a lot of people find them scary or hideous; encourgement of warnings.

[Kfamr]

I've never understood the need for it. I mean, there are people who are terrified of dogs, cats, birds, etc. but there's no warning for those? Personally, it would be offensive to me if my pet was featured and labeled as "creepy crawly." However, it is Karen & Paul's website, so it's their decision.

I'd imagine since spider, snakes, and other things labeled as "creepy crawly" are common pets, people should expect them to pop up as POTD on occasion.

[crow_noir]

That's why i feel the "warning" isn't just harmless fun. Not only can it hurt feelings, but it can also persuade opinion.

...but this is why a lot of people find them scary or hideous; encouragement of warnings.

Because of opinion a harmless Michigan snake almost became extinct. People weren't educated and thought it was the same as a very poisonous temperamental one. Since people are already afraid of snakes they killed it on spot with out checking to see which one it really was. (Eastern Fox Snake vs the Mississauga (sp?) Rattler.)

[Karen]

But 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.

[Ginger's Mom]

I know people who visit Dog and Cat, but usually skip Pet - but the "creepy crawly" icon draws them in every time.

Yep, that is the case with me. I see the little picture on top and sometimes if it is unbelieveably cute I will comment, but for the most part I don't pay much attention to Pet of the Day. However, the Creepy Crawler warning always makes me want to see what is over there. And luckily for me I got to see the very beautiful Daisy yesterday, if she had been a little icon at the top of the page I probably wouldn't have taken much notice of her.

[sandragonfly]

quoted by karen
... So we instituted the warning icon, and no owner has ever complained about it, so please don't take offense on their behalf.

well, not yet.. mine haven't been up yet and I would. it rarely happens so that's out of ratio. as we see here already, 4 or 5 people don't like the warning - I'd consider these as emails if their snakes or spiders are everr up.

do you think you can change the warning, maybe with a red border, words around it: folks, creepy crawly warning - it's hard to see the whole thing from an icon though.

[sasvermont]

Don't we have more important things to chat about?

This is a sleeper topic if I've ever seen one.

If Karen wants to put this warning up, it is her web site, let her do it.

Move on.