A thought-provoking question for everyone who loves animals

[phesina]

Thank you, Kirsten, for posting this question. I've wondered the same thing myself. I don't have the answer.

I don't eat meat myself. But a huge lot of people do, and so there is the question, where does the meat come from and how does it get to you.

[Asiel]

I don't really have an answer to this but I would say it's kinder to destroy an animal who is not having a good life. At least this animal will finally be at peace.
Having said this, I am fast becoming turned off meat because of the horrors I've watched about how these animals are raised before slaughter. I have 2 kids who refuse to touch meat for the same reason. I didn't mind when it was farm animals butchered to feed a family or farm animals raised as they should be raised but not the way it's done today.

[kitten645]

Please see the documentary Food Inc. It makes you see what we consume on a different level. The cruelty factor is huge but if you are going to consume meat, you should consume organically, ethically raised meats. They aren't feed the hormones and chemicals factory farmed animals are. Supporting factory farming only promotes the continued abuse. Also read Food Matters by Mark Bittman. Enlightening.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I like to think about it in terms of "harm reduction." I have been a vegetarian for 15 years. I know that what I am doing personally may not actually mean less production of meat, but I am personally trying to reduce harm. I guess the examples you gave above would be about reducing harm. Even if the animal ultimately dies, I think it's less cruel to allow the animal to live a somewhat natural life before that happens.

[pomtzu]

I have to admit that I am a meat eater, and I enjoy my steaks and pork chops and chicken, and I do not plan to give them up. I do not go by the meat counters in the stores, and think back to the origins of those packages of meat. However, I have seen videos of how these creatures are raised and slaughtered, and it is indeed horrific. I am 100% in support of more humane conditions in regard to how they are raised and slaughtered. There is no need for the cruelty that most of these animals are forced endure.

[Kirsten]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts here... And yes, I tend to agree that if you still eat meat, the meat from organically raised animals is the better choice, as it's healthier, and of a better quality.

But as far as I'm concerned, I have stopped eating meat almost 20 years ago. I don't want an animal to be killed because of me. However, I'm still buying meat in the form of cat food, and sometimes I'm feeling bad about it, but I have to admit I'm selfish here: I love cats too much to live without them.

Lately, I'm even tending to go vegan (no eggs, no dairy products), even though I don't think I'll be able to do that 100%.

[IRescue452]

You make a good point about which animal will welcome death more. But the cow in the poor conditions shouldn't be there in the first place. Eat meat from those conditions and you're just putting another cow in its place.

PS, I lol at how I see chicken labeled as 100% vegetarian (corn) fed. As if that's a good thing! Many consumers fall for it but not me. Chickens aren't vegetarians, they eat little bugs and seeds and whatever they pick off the ground.