Living with Animals

About the Exhibit

Over 15,000 years ago humans began sharing their meals with wolves, forging the first friendship between humans and animals–but where did we go from there?

Since then, we’ve formed all kinds of relationships with all kinds of animals, and we encounter them everywhere in our daily lives: they cuddle up with us on the couch, crawl silently through our walls, sit on our dinner plates, and more.

But whether we see an animal as a pet, a pest, or food has changed over time and across cultures, making our relationships with them dynamic and complex - to say the least.

Take a look at all the surprising, unique, and inspiring ways that we live with animals. You’ll find we’re not human without them!

What to Expect

In this exhibit, visitors will:

• Learn how wild animals became our pets – from the ancient outdoors to our modern living rooms
• Travel the world with roaches, pigeons, and rats to learn how humans created pests
• Eat virtual meals in our diner from five different countries over the last 100 years
• And lots more!

Content Warning: Please be aware that the content of this exhibit may be difficult or disturbing for some visitors. This exhibit contains content related to animal abuse.

Exhibit Images

Supporters

Thank you to our supporters:

Bank of Southern California 

Bowden Family Foundation 

Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation 

Cavignac & Associates 

City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture 

County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program 

Cultura 

The Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Foundation 

Rebecca Dickinson Welch & Gary Welch 

Dowling & Yahnke 

Hattie Ettinger Conversation Fund at The San Diego Foundation 

Heller Foundation of San Diego 

Hollander Design Group 

Mark Kassab 

The Loughridge Family 

Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation at the recommendation of Marnie Cheney 

Ron and Jarvis Pahl 

Dr. Seuss Foundation 

Linda & Ken Sumner