Asking for female only.

[SiotehCat]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

[MariaE]

I see this as being every bit as requesting a male assistant in a gaming shop or electronics store. It's sexist.

You see someone who has to open her up and touch her insides as someone selling me electronics?

Sorry, I discovered too late that I had accidentally left out a couple of words so the sentence no longer made sense. It was supposed to read "I see this every bit as rude as requesting... etc."

[Rohanna]

Pretty much. It's a cat, not a human- and while pets are important they are not the same species. Do you honestly think a male vet has scrabble-related interests in the uterus of a feline? If so I'm afraid that I'd have to say you need advice from a professional beyond the scope of this board.

[Lovie]

I know that sometimes animals have issues certain genders. if they have a history of anxiety with them, people might act request a male or female specific groomer. However, if there is no history of this with your animal, it does seem like a very strange thing to be concerned about it. As long as the vet is a good one why would it matter what their gender is? Are you uncomfortable with men?

[jibby]

It seems sexist to me, unless you just happen to feel closer to all female vets in the office.  If I remember correctly, you have a special relationship with your cats.  If your preference for a female vet stems from a personal communication with your cat that's about to undergo surgery, that's different.

[MrsJWine]

Being female doesn't necessarily mean one prefers male doctors. All of my favorite doctors have been men; one of them even attended my labor and eventually performed my C-section. While I very much doubt that a cat actually cares whether a man or a woman performs surgery on her, if she does, maybe she actually prefers a male doctor. Many women do.

ETA: I do understand that some animals do have an aversion or preference to men or women in general. But if she doesn't, then I think it hardly matters whether or a man or woman performs the surgery, so long as he or she is a competent doctor.

[CluelessBride]

I think it could be rude or hurtful to ask for a female, but I don't think that it's rude to ask for a specific person who happens to be a female.  It may still be discriminatory, but I don't think there is an etiquette requirement *not* to be discriminatory when deciding who you want to give your business to.  There is a requirement (or it is wise) to not appear discriminatory.

For example, if someone refuses to eat at RestaurantA only because it's run by a woman, but never tells anyone why they won't eat at RestaurantA it would be gender discrimination.  But since no one knows it's discrimination (versus just not liking RestaurantA), it's not really "rude".  Obviously when you are in a business position of hiring, different rules apply.  But in general as a consumer I don't think anyone can force you to use a specific service for any reason.

[SiotehCat]

So the reason that it is unreasonable is because it's for my cat?

What if it were for my child?

[WillyNilly]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

As opposed to the only somewhat female cats some people have?

[Perfect Circle]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

Why does it matter? As long as the veterinary surgeon is qualified and good at what s/he does, their gender should be totally irrelevant.

[jimithing]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

What does "very female" mean? I am confused as to why the double standard.

[HonorH]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

I understand your feeling that your small, delicate female cat needs a "delicate" female touch. However, I also think it's not a rational feeling. Male vets can be just as gentle and caring as female ones. In this case, sorry, but I think you need to suck it up and let the best qualified person do the work. It's about what's best for your cat.

[Diane AKA Traska]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

I have to agree, I find it sexist.

Oddly enough, I also find the bit about your male cat sexist.  As if your female cat is worthy of needing a same-gender doctor, but your male cat isn't.

So the reason that it is unreasonable is because it's for my cat?

What if it were for my child?

Presumably, both child and doctor would be the same species.  Therefore, expectations about gender become a lot more reasonable.

[Nika]

Why would you need/desire a female vet in this case?

Because my cat is a female.

She is very small and very female.

If my male cat needed the surgery, I don't think I would care one way or the other.

If I understand correctly, you would be okay with a female vet operating on your boy kitty? So isn't it a double standard?

[SiotehCat]

I see this as being every bit as requesting a male assistant in a gaming shop or electronics store. It's sexist.

You see someone who has to open her up and touch her insides the same asas someone selling me electronics?

Sorry, I discovered too late that I had accidentally left out a couple of words so the sentence no longer made sense. It was supposed to read "I see this every bit as rude as requesting... etc."

I left out words in my sentence too! I added the bolded.