Whether it’s recent rumors of Hugh Hefner’s alleged sexual activity with dogs or Linda Lovelace’s harrowing account of being forced to perform a porn scene with a dog in her memoir Ordeal, chances are you’re aware that some people, somewhere, are turned on by the idea of sexual contact between humans and animals. You probably also tend to think of this fringe slice of human sexuality as objectively wrong and morally reprehensible. While it certainly can be (such as in the above examples), zoophilia, a fetish that involves sexual attraction to animals, isn’t inherently wrong, in and of itself.
Broadly speaking, a fetish is a sexual interest, fascination or need for a sexual object or stimuli that isn’t (usually) sexual. “This can include body parts, objects, specific acts and, in the case of zoophilia, animals,” explains Rea Pearson, a sex-positive BACP Accredited counsellor and relationship therapist who works with Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversities. But there’s a crucial difference between having a sexual interest in something and actually acting on that interest.
Unsurprisingly, zoophilia is a fetish that remains extremely taboo, even in an era in which other kinks and previously off-limits sex acts are becoming more normalized — and for good reason. There are serious ethical implications when it comes to this fetish. Unlike other non-vanilla sexual interests where everyone involved is a consenting adult, having a sexual or romantic attraction to animals involves one party who cannot give consent: the animal.
Still, shame and stigma surrounding sex — no matter how fringe that sex may be — is rarely a good thing, and always worth interrogating. Unfortunately, there’s relatively little in the way of legitimate, non-judgmental resources for people who are interested in or curious about zoophilia. Like most fetishes, there’s nothing inherently wrong or shameful about zoophilia; it all comes down to the approach. Believe it or not, it is possible to engage with this fetish in a way that doesn’t involve harming animals or breaking the law. Below is everything an inquiring mind may want to know about zoophilia, its ethical implications and how it should and should not be practiced.
What is zoophilia?
Zoophilia, if you haven’t figured it out yet, is the sexual and/or romantic attraction to an animal. Knowing what zoophilia isn’t, however, is perhaps more important for truly understanding this fetish and its ethical implications. According to Sarah Melancon, Ph.D, a sociologist, clinical sexologist and resident expert at The Sex Toy Collective, very few people who have this fetish actually go out and have sex with animals. Meanwhile, many people who identify as “Zoo” are also attracted to humans.
While it’s not a particularly popular fetish, it may be more common than you think. Research from Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D, author of Tell Me What You Want, shows that out of 4,000 people surveyed, one in five reported fantasizing about sex with animals. Of that one in five, 60.8% fantasized about dogs, 22.2% about horses, while less than 5% fantasized about sex with other animals.
When it comes to fetishes, however, it’s important to distinguish between fantasy and the practice of said fantasy. “Just because someone has an attraction to something, or someone, doesn’t mean they will act on it,” says Pearson. Meaning, the vast majority of “Zoo” folx will not actually harm an animal.
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Zoophilia is different from bestiality
Speaking of distinguishing between fantasy and reality, the language we use when discussing zoophilia is crucial. While they are often used interchangeably, differentiating between the terms “zoophilia” and “bestiality” is critical in terms of analyzing the ethical implications of this fetish. “Zoophilia” refers to the fetish of sexual interest in animals, while “bestiality” is the physical act of having sex with an animal.
The latter is illegal, and rightly so, as animals cannot give consent. Having sex with animal is animal abuse. On the other hand, having a sexual and/or romantic attraction to animals is not illegal. Meanwhile, some people who engage in bestiality may not have a fetish for animals, but may be seeking sexual gratification from animals for other reasons, explains Ness Cooper, a clinical sexologist and sex and relationships coach.
Where zoophilia becomes unethical is if a person crosses over from simply having fantasies about animals and into the act of bestiality. “There are ethical issues with bestiality or acting out zoophilia due to animals being unable to communicate consent,” says Cooper. “Consent is a very important part of sexual play.”
How to engage with zoophilia in an ethical way (because, yes, it’s totally possible)
Obviously we all know that practicing zoophilia in a literal way that harms an actual animal is illegal and unconscionable. However, this fetish can still be a part of someone’s sexual play in a way that is above board.
In case you hadn’t heard, people in kink communities role play as animals all the freakin’ time. For instance, there are people who are into “pet play,” a Dom/sub dynamic where subs dress up like animals and become their Dom’s pet. “Puppy play appears most common, though kitty play and bunny play also exist,” says Melancon.
Another common kink dynamic related to zoophilia? The furries. “Furry play is a related kink, in which the individual typically takes on a fantasy identity of being a particular animal,” says Melancon. “This may involve dressing up in costumes and role playing.” That said, not all furries are sexually attracted to animals. Most of them want to be the animal themselves, but it can go both ways. Basically, fantasies are complex, but there are a number of not-uncommon kinks and sex practices that are rooted, to some degree, in zoophilia.
If role play isn’t enough, there is quite a bit of porn that involves this fetish. Naturally, this can be a bit of a grey area (see: Linda Lovelace). But, “as long as the pornography didn’t involve any real animals being harmed, it might actually help the zoophiles get the fix they need,” says Pearson. Again, with all of this, we have to make the distinction between fantasy/desire and the act of bestiality. Consent is always king.
There are also sex toys designed to appeal to those with an interest in zoophilia. After all, if there are dildos that are designed to look like alien penises and deposit “eggs” inside of people, you’d better believe there are animal-inspired sex toys, as well. Animal-like dildos, often referred to as fantasy dildos, are available online.
Lastly, Zoos need access to support from mental health professionals. They need kink-friendly therapists “who will give them a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about their thoughts and feelings about animals,” Pearson adds. When we push people to hide their fetishes or feel like they are dirty, wrong or bad, they wind up feeling even more isolated and alone. In the interest of promoting a more evolved and open-minded society, we should approach all fetishes, no matter how unorthodox, with more curiosity, rather than judgment. We can choose not to judge someone for being a ‘Zoo,” while also recognizing that it is incredibly wrong to actually have sexual contact with an animal.
The sexual blueprint of all people is full of truly fascinating, diverse sexual interests. As long as everyone involved is able and willing to give enthusiastic consent, there isn’t anything wrong with having this, or any other, sexual interest. It’s simply a matter of understanding the difference between right and wrong, fantasy and practice.
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