This Might Offend Some People.....Pet lovers protest cats on the menu in China

[Medusa]

I do not believe ANY animal should be tortured. I don't care if it's a cat, a chicken, a fish, a cow ... treat it humanely while it is alive. Humans are omnivores by nature, most of us eat meat. I think all animals killed for food ought to be treated decently while alive, and killed quickly and humanely.

However, I think it is vastly hypocritical for people to say that killing and eating a cat or a dog is a ghastly, terrible thing ... when they had bacon for breakfast, a chicken sandwich for lunch, and a steak for dinner. Is that cat or dog's life inherently more valuable than than the pig's, the chicken's or the cow's? I think not. Do American slaughter houses kill livestock more humanely that those cats and dogs were killed? Probably not.

All animals feel pain and fear, regardless of species. My aunt and uncle had a pet pig once. He was housetrained, slept by their bed, rode in their van, walked on a leash, and knew dozens of adorable tricks. He was sweet and loving and smart ... very much like a dog. My grandma had a pet chicken for many, many years. That chicken loved my grandma, I have no doubt, and it was as tame, sweet and cuddly as any cat. So why do so many people think it's perfectly fine to slaughter a pig or chicken, but doing the same thing to a dog or cat is wrong?

Americans are quick to criticize other countries who consume cats, dogs or horses. There are countries who feel that Americans eating cows is the same abomination. What makes "us" right, and "them" wrong?

Furthermore, do we, as Americans, have any room to criticize any country's treatment of animals, such as cats and dogs, while hundreds of thousands of these same creatures are starving on our streets or being gassed in our animal control facilities and shelters every year? We are the richest country in the world, and untold thousands of pets die here every year ... not for food, but thrown out with the garbage, for the simple reason that a geat number of Americans are lazy, stupid and greedy. We need to be careful of the rocks we throw, while living in that glass house.

Very well expressed indeed.

[smokey the elder]

Definitely valid points. People should try not to judge other cultures, even if they disagree with what they do. Having said that, if the animal in question is someone's pet (no matter what animal it is) and it's stolen and used for food I think that is inappropriate. Animals intended as food should be treated humanely prior to slaughter; we are not without blame on this in the US.

[king2005]

Definitely valid points. People should try not to judge other cultures, even if they disagree with what they do. Having said that, if the animal in question is someone's pet (no matter what animal it is) and it's stolen and used for food I think that is inappropriate. Animals intended as food should be treated humanely prior to slaughter; we are not without blame on this in the US.

Agree 100%!!

I use to be flamed because I breed feeder Rats. It has finally stopped as people have realized that its not the animals type that matters, its the treatment of any feeder animal that matters.

I knew I treated my rats far better then any "Feeder Breeder" did. I treated them like pets (without names). Spoiled them, gave them LOTS of running space, fresh foods, juice, water, Aspen, treats & SOOOO many toys. I then killed them as humainly as I could so they could still be used as a healthy meal for Axle. I had many rules in place for the way it was done. If I couldn't follow all the rules at that time, I had to wait. Or I would give the "rat" away, or make it a pet until I could find it a home as I couldn't obay by my specific rules. I don't like killing things, but I have no issues killing for food in the most humain way I can.

[Lilith Cherry]

I live in rural Guangdong; Cats are sold in several of the markets where I buy my food ( pork and chicken and fish along with fresh vegetables) Yes, it makes me want to cry but I do understand that the local people have different ideas on what to eat. They do NOT, however torture the cat but very quickly slit its throat. They kill it in the same manner the kill chickens and ducks and rabbits.

I am always very worried in case my cats get out as I am sure they would be dinner for someone in the area if they did. Different cultures see things in different ways but the vast majority of Chinese people are no more cruel to animals than other nationalities. We just hear the horror stories in the west and don't see the pet lovers and kind people because they don't make good news stories.

[Anikaca77]

I agree as well.

Very well expressed indeed.