Other - Pets. How Does One Keep From Getting Emotionally Attached To An Animal Raised For Slaughter?

Other Pets : How Does One Keep From Getting Emotionally Attached To An Animal Raised For Slaughter

Sometimes farmers even slaughters their own animals. How do farmers, 4-H students, FFA students, etc refrain from getting attached to the animals they raise for slaughter? Isnt it much like killing your pet? That is just something I could never do. If we all had to slaughter our own animals do you think we would be eating less meat in general? ~~~ Dawn ~~~

Best Answer To Other Pets Question

My family has raised cows and turkeys without any of the problems you describe. I should note, though, that we had a butcher slaughter the cows (its too much work to do ourselves). We never really got attached to the animals. They just arent like a dog or cat. We knew from the beginning that these animals were food, and looking forward to a freezer full of meat made it easy to butcher them. People can be too sensitive. We all know where meat comes from, but for some reason people would rather buy it at the store than raise it themselves. I guess if everyone had to raise their own meat they would eat less of it, but thats true of a lot of things. If I had to make my own clothes I would have fewer of them.

All Answer To Other Pets Questions

Answer 1

I honestly dont know how they do it either. I could never kill an animal. I even get upset when I have to kill a mosquito. I would think those people just have to have a mentality that this is not my pet, it is money. I know someone who worked in a slaughter house and he didnt have a problem doing it at all. I personally could never ever do it. Thats also probably why Im a vegetarian :)

Answer 2

I totally agree with you. i am one who loves animals and really get attached to them. i wouldnt be able to stand slaughtering my own pet!... its crazy! i love my pets and couldnt live without them!

Answer 3

I think if you were raised doing that it wouldnt bother you so bad. I dont think it bothers men as much as it bothers women. I couldnt feed something everyday then eat it. I make pets out of everything. We had cows for a while about 6 years ago and it wasnt so bad if you just throw them hay in the winter and there on pasture in the summer because you dont spend any time with them. Feeding a calf or a young pig to eat on the other hand, I just couldnt do it. And I was raised on a farm. Im totally against eating anything under a year old no matter who raised it.

Answer 4

I often think about this too, however, we have to understand that farmers do this as a business. I mean i love animals, i have them, I dont kill bugs, and I cry if I accidentally run over a groundhog with my car, but I also love steak, chicken, pork, turkey. I could never see or do what these butchers do, but you gotta look at reality. America, and the human race in general are not all gonna go vegetarian. Its an economy, and these people are making their living because Americans love to eat meat. But it is a sad, because innocent animals get killed, but look at alot of the scum out there that are humans but still live, I dunno, in a controversial subject I guess. Personally, even though I love meat, I will never ever eat veal because I do not support the way people raise and kill the baby cows. Its horrible and different than simply slaughtering a cow/pig/bird/etc....thye lock them up in tiny boxes from the moment they are born and never get to see the light of day, are fed certain foods to make them tender meat, and then killed.

Answer 5

i agree with you. but i think its all about personality, they may not have been raised they same way we were. hope i helped (:

Answer 6

My family has raised cows and turkeys without any of the problems you describe. I should note, though, that we had a butcher slaughter the cows (its too much work to do ourselves). We never really got attached to the animals. They just arent like a dog or cat. We knew from the beginning that these animals were food, and looking forward to a freezer full of meat made it easy to butcher them. People can be too sensitive. We all know where meat comes from, but for some reason people would rather buy it at the store than raise it themselves. I guess if everyone had to raise their own meat they would eat less of it, but thats true of a lot of things. If I had to make my own clothes I would have fewer of them.

Answer 7

You have to understand the difference I live on a farm and I love all the animals we own. But some of them have a purpose. We take care of them and later they take care of were put here by God to be used wisly. You just have to respect the animal and know the difference.

Answer 8

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SOOOO SAD :( just dont look in thier eyes and dont think how thier lifes purpose to a man is to be wednesdays steak meal!!!

Answer 9

Actually it becomes easier, I dont know why. Every animal you raise you become less emotionally attached to. Dogs, cats, horses etc are all companion animals with which we spend much of our time with. We tend to humanize them to varying degrees amp; they support us through tough times. Livestock is not that way. You do barn chores twice a day, the animals are not "pets" nor do you care for them to be (that makes it harder) The amount of time spent with them is far less amp; usually results in a large animal mowing you over for a feed pale. So you are continuosly shooshing them away so they dont hurt you and behave in a respectful manner. Much of it has to do with the fact you know this is a food purpose animal so you intentionally distance yourself. We raise pigs amp; cattle and butcher ourselves. I dont do chores unless I HAVE to. They are my honeys thing. Farrowing out is often times my job amp; I enjoy this. If I raise a bottle pig we try to rehome to a pet home and have had good success doing this. Those babys you hand raise you cant help but get attached to. I feel less guilty eating meat we raise amp; butcher, that buying it. I KNOW how our animals were cared for. I know they were happy, healthy amp; never abused. I know needless things werent pumped into this animal either. They didnt die stressed out and terrified because they were beat to get in the back of a trailer, hauled to some strange place and crammed with others smelling amp; feeling death. I am proud that I am not supporting the mass animal cruelty to put a meal on my table. And it tastes so much better home grown!

Answer 10

I moved from the city to the country - we kept chickens for eggs.. even though we didnt kill our birds I could NOT buy dead chicken in the grocery store - cannot even eat it at restuarant - because I know how wonderful chickens really are.. playful and sweet (ours play with our cats and sheep.. its cute really )plus I know most are cruely kept.. I do eat less meat overall know - also because it is more environmentally friendly not to eat too much meat and most people in our society eat more meat than we need. I dont know how they do it - have seen 4H kids cry when their calves are sold.. worse is the job of the people working at slaughter yard.. I guess if we dotn see it - it doesnt occur to us that it is happening.. maybe it would be good if we were all forced to kill our food sometimes.

Answer 11

just feed and were raised for were not raised to be your pet like a cat or a dog who could come in and out of your room or at times sleeps next to you.