The Amish have a complex relationship with pets. While they are generally open to having animals around for practical purposes, keeping pets purely for companionship goes against some of their beliefs about family and community. However, Amish practices vary between different communities and families, so there is no hard-and-fast rule against pets.
Practical Uses for Animals
Many Amish families have animals like dogs, cats, horses, and chickens around their farms and homes. These animals are typically there to serve a practical purpose, such as:
- Herding or protecting livestock
- Catching rodents and other vermin
- Providing milk, eggs, or meat
- Assisting with transportation and field work
So in many Amish homes, you may find dogs or cats, but their role is to be working animals rather than lap-sitting companions. The Amish teach that animals were put on Earth by God to be of use to people.
Concerns About Pet Keeping
Some traditional Amish communities discourage or prohibit keeping pets solely for friendship and recreation. There are a few reasons for this:
- Pets could distract family members from more important communal duties.
- Forming close bonds with pets may weaken dependencies between family and community members.
- Caring for pets requires resources like food, bedding, and veterinary care that could be better spent elsewhere.
The Amish promote humility, simplicity and functionality. So bringing an animal into the home just to be cute or entertaining is viewed by some as self-indulgent.
Rules and Practices Vary
Like many aspects of Amish life, stances on pet keeping depend on the Ordnung or guidelines of each church district. Some Amish communities have no specific rules about pets, leaving it up to each family’s discretion. Others prohibit companion animals outright. And some fall somewhere in between, allowing pets as long as they have a working role.
Here are some general patterns when it comes to pets and Amish families:
- Old Order Amish groups tend to be the strictest about prohibiting companion pets.
- More progressive New Order Amish communities often permit pets as long as they are cleanly cared for.
- Families with younger children or those living near non-Amish neighbors are typically more open to having pets.
Regardless of church rules, an individual family’s choice about pets usually comes down to their personal attitudes and convictions.
Pets for Income or Business
Some Amish households, especially in more liberal communities, own companion animals or livestock as a way to earn income:
- Operating commercial kennels to breed and sell puppies
- Training horses for leisure riding and show
- Raising pets like rabbits or chickens to sell to non-Amish neighbors
- Using dogs or other animals for hunting or activities that tourists will pay for
In these cases, the animals still serve a practical purpose for the family’s livelihood, aligning with Amish principles of hard work and providing for one’s own. Income-generating pets and livestock may be more accepted than those kept solely as companions.
Changes Over Time
Like other aspects of Amish society, attitudes towards pets have shifted over the decades. As Amish communities become less isolated from mainstream culture, some families have grown more open to keeping companion animals. This is especially true for:
- Newer or more progressive Amish groups
- Younger generations of Amish
- Families living in suburban or urban areas
Still, traditions and church rules die hard. So most “English” or non-Amish visitors will not encounter dogs, cats, or other pets in Amish homes, especially not inside. Practical farm animals are much more common.
Conclusion
In summary, the Amish take a more pragmatic approach to animal keeping than English or non-Amish American households. While some pets may be present, companion animals are not a high priority in a culture that values community, hard work, and functionality over individual recreation or entertainment. Practices vary between different Amish groups and families based on traditions, occupations, geography, and personal choice. But the majority of Amish maintain a clear separation between livestock for work and pets for pleasure.