Introduction: Several studies have highlighted the benefits of pet ownership on physical and psychological health. The literature has suggested that having a close relationship with an animal could enhance levels of empathy and reduce speciesism. However, little research has tried to explore the effects of attachment to a companion animal in childhood. This research sought to understand how attachment to an animal during childhood could relate to differences in moral concerns towards different categories of animals. In total, three hypotheses were generated: 1) there will be a difference in moral concerns for different species of animals, 2) there will be a difference in moral concerns towards animals between participants (pet owners versus non-pet owners in childhood), and 3) the intensity of the bond with an animal companion during childhood will correlate with moral concerns towards animals in adulthood.
Design and methods: This quantitative study used online self-report questionnaires among 72 participants. Hypothesis 1 used a within-subject experimental design while hypothesis 2 used a between-subject quasi-experimental design. A within-subject correlational design was used to test hypothesis 3.
Results: As anticipated, all the three hypotheses were confirmed. Participants showed higher scores for companion and wild appealing animals compared to food and unappealing wild animals. Participants who were pet owners in childhood had greater moral concerns towards animals in adulthood than those who were non-pet owners in childhood, and this difference was statistically significant. Attachment and empathy were positively correlated with moral concerns towards animals, but only attachment was a significant predictor.
Conclusion: This study reinforces the notion that not only pet ownership but also attachment can influence people’s moral concerns towards all animals. These findings underline the importance of combining this attachment to animals with educational programs to positively shape the way young people think not only about their pets but of all other non-human animal species.
