You’re not an owner, you’re a guardian
So this is pretty cool: In Defense of Animals (IDA) has started a “Guardian Campaign” where they want people to use the word “guardian” in place of “owner” when speaking about their companion animals. They claim that, by people calling themselves animal guardians rather than animal owners, this will lead to less abuse inflicted on animals by humans.
I found out about this campaign thanks to an article on Care2 which states that a city in Ohio has adopted the term “guardian” when referring to people with pets. Animals are part of a family, not an object/toy/etc. and this wording makes it that much more obvious.
What do you think about the word “guardian” in this context? Do you already call yourself a guardian? Have you been calling yourself an owner of animals? I’ve always seen the animals in my family as part of the family and I’m almost 100% sure I’ve never referred to myself as an “owner”. I’m all for this campaign, but it does sadden me that it has come to this in order to help stop the abuse of animals.
If you’d like to find out more about this campaign and how to get the term “animal guardian” adopted in your city, watch the video below and/or go to the GuardianCampaign.org.
(Original image clickable straight to source: GuardianCampaign.com/PDF)
12 July 2011 / Animals
Tags: animal guardian, guardian campaign, in defense of animals
Comments
13 July 2011 - 2:33 am
i don’t think i’ve ever used either word. i’ve always referred to my animals as my fur child or just by their name like “chloe cat.” i also say things like, “my roommate chloe cat,” or “we have a hearing dog as a part of our family,” that sort of thing. animals have always been equal members of my family growing up, and since my stepmom is deaf and has had hearing dogs for years who literally went everywhere with us {movie theaters, restaurants, stores, museums, theme parks, etc.} it really didn’t feel strange to call her my dog sister.
13 July 2011 - 3:24 am
I don’t know, I never tell people that I “own” Snow. She’s just my dog, much like I’m her human.
I understand the need for awareness and if using “guardian” will make people more aware, then so be it. Pets are family and should be treated as such. Now if you’re horrible to your family, maybe you shouldn’t have a pet!
13 July 2011 - 4:33 am
cool, i don’t mind saying i am the guardian of my dog at all. i will spread the word.
13 July 2011 - 4:22 pm
Right on! I completely agree with this, and think it’s the objectification and commodification of our fellow beings that makes us feel it’s permissible to treat them as things and property. Language is a very important tool for changing that paradigm. I can’t remember ever referring to myself as a “pet owner,” but I do know that becoming vegan and being exposed to the sensitive writings and thoughts of other vegans has definitely changed my language use. When we had to fill out a lengthy questionnaire for our vet a couple of years ago, we lined through every reference to “pet” and “it” and “owner,” and changed them to “companion,” “he” or “she,” and “guardian.” 🙂
Thought you might like this cartoon! And this book, Animal Equality: Language and Liberation has been highly recommended by a friend and is on my “to read” list. Looks really interesting!
14 July 2011 - 5:34 am
This is interesting…I agree that it’s kind of sad it has come to this. It just pains me to know that people abuse their pets. Using guardian may get weird looks, but we can hope it will help!
15 July 2011 - 2:17 am
I like this idea! Though I think it’s sad that they would even have to worry at all about people abusing their animals. :S How someone could do that to an animal is sickening. I do like the title “guardian” though. I don’t have an animal currently but I’m thinking about getting a cat and could see myself going by guardian instead of owner.
It will be interesting to see if this idea tags on. I hope so!
18 July 2011 - 1:15 pm
How awesome that so many of you never considered yourself an “owner” and treat the animals that live with you as part of the family. Like many of you, I never used either one of these terms.
Kimbirdy – I’ve had cats in my life practically since I can remember and have considered them my brothers, as well. : )
Laloofah – Exactly, of all places, a vet’s office should view animals as part of the family and not “its”. Very cool of you to change those words in the application!
18 July 2011 - 9:39 pm
what an AWESOME blog! so glad you stopped by mine! i can’t wait to have a dog someday! happy to be a follower
20 July 2011 - 2:24 pm
Our two greys are the closest thing we’ll ever have to kids, so my husband likes to think of us as Dad and Mom. I’m still not so sure about that, but “guardian” sounds just about perfect to me. They’re smart, caring creatures with distinct personalities and emotions; how could they be just objects to anyone?
And thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Now I have a new site to add to my feed!
13 July 2011 - 1:14 am
I am all for this as I find the term “owner” to be so inappropriate. We own items, not individuals. If anything, my dog “owns” me!!!! 🙂