I think Spencer's post has the key word for most people in this controversy: COMPANION. Most people consider cats, dogs, horses, guinea pigs, etc. to be friends since they recognize their owners and exhibit affection towards them. Far fewer people put cows, pigs, chickens, etc. in this category. And that's probably why most animals fall on one side of the don't eat line while some fall on the other. Again, it falls down to a personal choice for each person, depending on where they draw that line. Disgust with inhumane conditions causes alot of people to draw that line in a difference place than they might normally.