The UK media is reinforcing harmful biases against certain types of pets – particularly reptiles and amphibians – according to new research by zoologists at Liverpool John Moores University.
The study reveals that so-called ‘non-furry’ pets are routinely demonised in news coverage, portrayed as creepy, scaly intruders or escaped threats rather than living beings in distress. In stark contrast, abandoned cats and dogs are granted emotive headlines and human-like backstories: “poor Milo” or “cuddly Poppy was found exhausted” being typical examples.
Researchers warn that this kind of “othering” in the press may have real-world consequences for how these animals are treated and perceived, affecting everything from rescue efforts to policy.
“On a broad scale, we perceive dogs, cats and mammals like rabbits to be part of our world (or even family),” said Dr John Bielby, Reader in Zoology at Liverpool John Moores. “But media narratives often make reptiles and others appear as strange, even dangerous creatures, and that reinforces a humans-vs-animals scenario rather than us all being precious species.”
Cold-Blooded Creatures, Cold Coverage
The team analysed hundreds of national and regional news reports on abandoned pets. They divided the coverage into three categories: cats and dogs; ‘small furries’ (such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters); and reptiles and amphibians.
The differences in tone and structure were striking. While a guinea pig or cat might be given a name and a personal story – “adorable Daisy was cruelly dumped” – reptiles were typically described by size or shock factor: “a five-foot snake was found in a garden” or “terrified family discovers lizard on the loose.”
Instead of highlighting an animal’s suffering or need for help, media reports about reptiles often focus on fear or controversy around their ownership. The language tends to sensationalise, rather than sympathise.
A Crisis of Compassion?
This comes at a time when pet abandonment is on the rise. The RSPCA reported nearly 2,000 cases in January alone – up 34% from the same month last year. With the post-pandemic pet boom and ongoing cost of living pressures, rescue centres are under increasing strain.
Dr Bielby believes the findings raise deeper questions about what we mean when we talk about being ‘animal lovers’.
“Does your average ‘animal lover’ love tarantulas, snakes, slugs? Generally speaking, the answer is probably not,” he says. “I think a major point of our study is that these feelings can be reinforced by media coverage and narratives which favour certain relationships – cuddly or whatever – rather than respecting each animal for its unique nature.”
He argues that policy and public messaging around animal welfare should be grounded in evidence and empathy, not just sentimentality.
The full study, titled “It’s not fur: newspaper article reporting of abandonment and relinquishment of pets exhibit taxonomic biases in framing and language use”, is published in Royal Society Publishing.