Here’s what consumers have asked with answers from AnimalJam staff and previous consumers.
Members get cool stuff like members only items and animals as a reward for buying a membership. Otherwise, no one would buy a membership, so AJHQ wouldn't have any money and they wouldn't be able to keep running the game. However, there are some cool things for non-members as well; you might just have to look a little harder.
Make it not a pay to win game. People are being mean because they think they are better at everything because they have a membership. Scamming is usually also because of memberships.