In some cases, like mine, it's not about people not liking animals. When I was young, my mom loved cats and dogs, so we had several, including all the ones who took up residence at our home because she was so loving.

It didn't dawn on her in the late 50s that I was allergic. My family just thought I had the sniffles all the time. It wasn't until late teens that I found out I was allergic.