Why I am not a vegan

[Monica]

As much as I'd like to see the elimination of all exploitation of animals including domestication, I think Shemaya is probably more realistic in this regard.  I suspect many people will continue to use cows and chickens (at least) for their milk and eggs for some time to come.  I would certainly hope that animal slaughter will be condemned in a similar vein as the murder of humans.  Animal cruelty will be frowned upon and even outlawed as being too barbaric in a so-called enlightened age.  I also think that pets (dogs, cats, etc) will be with us in the future - I can't imagine such a practice will be proscribed - domestication of pets doesn't appear to have any victims.  Pets as such have been with humanity for a long, long time and people are quite fond of the practice.  Further, the domestication of these animals has already occurred, and both humans and pets seem content in the relationship.

Please see my clarification above. No mention was made of pets. Pets aren't the problem except that they are fed other animals. More and more people are proving that dogs, and even cats, can thrive on a vegan diet. (I know, they are natural carnivores! Yet it is happening, amazingly!)

I assume you are referring to the 'no use of animals at all, ever, even pets' philosophy espoused by some vegans. Most vegans consider that extremist and don't agree with it. Most of us have pets and consider ourselves caretakers of these companion animals.

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