A thought-provoking question for everyone who loves animals

[pomtzu]

Just a question out of curiosity for those that don't eat meat because of your opposition to an animal being killed for you to consume.

What about leather made from the hides of these animals? Do you not have any shoes, handbags, belts, jackets, gloves, etc made of leather? I once had a co-worker who would not eat meat because an animal had to be killed in order for her to do so, yet she thought nothing of sporting fancy leather handbags and shoes.

[mrspunkysmom]

I don't know that the mass production of meat is any more economical than farm raised animals. We throw so much of it away because it is just not good.

I've thinking about going organic and using an independent butcher because it just makes more sense.

As far as the meat and killing of animals. We are omnivores. It is possible to get protein from none meat sources, but every source has its pros and cons.

And the carnivores help keep the herbivores in check.
I think the question we need to ask ourselves is, "Are we respecting that animals life by using the whole animal?" "Or is it needless killing, just waste?"

[Alysser]

I agree with Pomtzu, 100% on the fact that no animal should suffer at mercy of food production. It really is sad. Currently, I don't buy the groceries brought into my house either and I'm pretty sure my mom really doesn't care about where the meat comes from. She isn't going to buy organic and I am not going to be able to give up meat, as selfish as that may sound, I'm just being honest. As far as when I move out and get my own place, I will have to research further on the issue then.

As for people saying they've seen Food Inc and videos of slaughter, well I can safely say these sources are biased beyond belief. Now, let me start by saying, YES I am sure abuse happens in this industry. I think any situation with an animal can have abuse involved somehow. From someone who was made to watch Food Inc by a teacher who was an environmental nut-job, I can tell you it is biased. Of course the makers of the film are going to travel to farms that abuse animals and have shitty conditions. No doubt about it. As for the videos, have you ever traced the source? Most likely for PETA or ALF or some other nutcase organization. These videos are usually out-dated and used over and over again. Of course they're disgusting, but the fact is, the were probably filmed over a decade ago. Believe it or not, things have changed for these animals dramatically and I sure hope that this good continues. Please don't support things like PETA, sure they have a good forefront, I mean who wouldn't want to save cute animals right? Now watch some videos on the hypocrisy of those nuts.

As far as animal skins for material items. I have 1 leather jacket. I want another one but since I can't afford anything right now as a poor college student that isn't going to happen. I don't have leather shoes, purses, etc. I don't see the need for it. I don't wear make-up, so the animal testing issue doesn't phase me (for cosmetic items anyway). As for shampoos and the like, I always buy "not tested on animals" labeled ones.

[Taz_Zoee]

I grew up out in the country where we raised cows, pigs and chickens.......to eat. I watched them be slaughtered. I was young. I don't know that I could do that now. Well, I guess I could.
Our rule of thumb was we didn't name the animals that would be in our freezer. We had a cow (Babe) and a pig (Bobbie Sue) that were pets. They lived out their lives and we did not eat them.
I try not to think of what the steak was before it was seasoned and cooked up for me. I do not think I could give up meat. I mean, if I had to I could.

I also wear leather. I have a leather jacket, vest, chaps and boots for riding the motorcycle.

I am a horrible person. Just writing this out makes me feel like crap! How can I be such an animal lover? Ok, enough of this. I need to not think about this anymore.

I have nothing against people who do not eat meat or animal products. In fact...more power to them. I wish I had that much will power. What I don't like is the people that preach about it or throw it in your face. Luckily I've never encountered these kinds of people in my life and I hope I never do.

[wombat2u2004]

What ARE you all talking about ???
Meat comes from the supermarket.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

What about leather made from the hides of these animals? Do you not have any shoes, handbags, belts, jackets, gloves, etc made of leather? I once had a co-worker who would not eat meat because an animal had to be killed in order for her to do so, yet she thought nothing of sporting fancy leather handbags and shoes.

No, I don't wear leather or buy leather products. However, it is very difficult sometimes to find shoes in particular.

[pomtzu]

What I don't like is the people that preach about it or throw it in your face. Luckily I've never encountered these kinds of people in my life and I hope I never do.

Cindy - this is exactly where I was going when I mentioned my co-worker. She preached constantly, to the point of being obnoxious. When I asked her why she felt it was acceptable to wear the leather but not eat the meat, she always came back with a smart-a$$ answer like - "well why throw the hide away when it can be used"? In other words, she felt it was okay to wear an animal that was slaughtered - just not eat it!!! Double standards in action.

And yes - I wear/use leather too. Jacket, shoes, handbags, wallet, belts. If they are available, then why not buy them since they last practically forever, whereas the synthetics fall apart in no time flat.

And no one here preaches - I respect everyone's decisions and opinions.

[Kirsten]

I agree that preaching doesn't help. It only annoys people and makes them more anti-veggie... On the other hand, I don't like it when people make stupid remarks about me being veggie either. Or when they say things like "meat is the only REAL food".

As for wearing leather... I do have two or three pairs of leather shoes, but will try to get more synthetic ones for the future. Those I already have will be worn for many years, so at least they are not "wasted", but I'm feeling kind of guilty for having them. I don't buy any other leather products, or anything made of fur. And as I have recently learned about this very cruel act of mulesing, I think I won't buy any more whool products either.

What I find interesting is that over the last few years, the awareness for the vegetarian lifestyle is constantly growing. Not only for ethical reasons, but also for ecological and environmental ones. I had no idea how many resources are actually needed for just one kilogramm of meat, how much water, energy, and land (mainly to grow these animals' food) is used for it, not to forget the CO² pollution also. I'm not preaching everyone should go veggie - but if people in the western world would just start eating less meat, people in other parts of the world woudln't be starving. There were some interesting documentions on this subject on tv recently, and this article sums it up:
Environmental impact of meat production

[wombat2u2004]

but if people in the western world would just start eating less meat, people in other parts of the world woudln't be starving.

??????? Why would eating less meat help the starving millions ???

[dab_20]

As for people saying they've seen Food Inc and videos of slaughter, well I can safely say these sources are biased beyond belief. Now, let me start by saying, YES I am sure abuse happens in this industry. I think any situation with an animal can have abuse involved somehow. From someone who was made to watch Food Inc by a teacher who was an environmental nut-job, I can tell you it is biased. Of course the makers of the film are going to travel to farms that abuse animals and have shitty conditions. No doubt about it. As for the videos, have you ever traced the source? Most likely for PETA or ALF or some other nutcase organization. These videos are usually out-dated and used over and over again. Of course they're disgusting, but the fact is, the were probably filmed over a decade ago. Believe it or not, things have changed for these animals dramatically and I sure hope that this good continues. Please don't support things like PETA, sure they have a good forefront, I mean who wouldn't want to save cute animals right? Now watch some videos on the hypocrisy of those nuts.

Agreed 100%.


Growing up in Minnesota, I grew up between a dairy cow farm and a farm that had cows raised for meet. Both of them had very happy, well treated cows.

I personally think animals should always be treated with respect. They may be dieing early, but that does not mean they should live a life of abuse just because they may want to "die more". Any animal, including humans, whether living or horrible life or a happy one, does NOT want to die. It is physiologically ingrained in our brains to survive at all costs.
However, I personally wouldn't become vegetarian for this cause. I do think it is okay to kill and eat an animal if it is all done HUMANELY. We are omnivores, just like thousands of other species on this planet. We are meant to eat animal products. Just look at our physiology. We may not have canine teeth or big claws, our intelligence replaces those. However, our eyes are located on the front of our faces. Think about it, all predators have eyes in front of their faces. Plant eaters have eyes on the sides of their face. Back to the point...
We should not waste lives, however. We shouldn't be killing animals in massive amounts and having meat rot. We shouldn't be killing some animals for leather and others for meat. We should use every part of the animal, just like other animals do, so not to waste more lives.

I am not saying people shouldn't be vegetarian if that is their choice. They're doing it for a good cause. Animal proteins and fats can be replaced by beans and fatty things like nuts and avocados. It's usually a more healthy choice, too. If we do choose to eat meat, we should make sure the meat we eat comes from good, humane sources.