Love of animals and interpersonal affectionate behavior

The relationship between humans' affectionate behavior with other humans and with animals was investigated. 149 adults (81 current pet-owners and 68 nonowners) completed the two affection scales of Schutz's 1966 FIRO-B and Ray's Love of Animals questionnaire. Current pet owners scored higher on Love of Animals than nonowners, who in turn scored higher than those that had never owned a pet. Factor analysis of the Love of Animals Scale gave a large factor (Attitudes Towards Pet Ownership) and a smaller one (Value of Animals). No relationship was found between Wanted or Expressed Affection and either of the Love of Animals factor scores once sociodemographic factors were partialled out. No differences were found between pet-type for Wanted or Expressed Affection. It is concluded that there is no support for a relationship between affection for animals and interpersonal affectionate behavior, at least for casual pet-owners.