My animals lived like kings. I worked in a rich suburb and brought home supermarket leavings every day... produce, milk, cheese, the whole bit.

I was well aware of the sentient nature of my animals... I birthed most of them. You really know a pig when you wiped it down with straw to stimulate it's breathing after it came out of it's momma....... at 3AM.

They only had one really bad moment in their whole lives, and with my shooting, they probably only had 1/4 of a moment. They saw a little pile of lettuce, bent down to eat, and the lights went out.

Sounds hard, but I'd rather be in touch with my animals... and my food.

I certainly agree with the OP that slaughterhouses are awful. Something as smart as a pig... even one raised in a meat factory.. knows everything that's going on. Slaughterhouses and feed lots are a national disgrace.

I'm no vegan, but I eat local stuff. I won't eat "caged" eggs or chicken, feedlot beef, farmed salmon, veal of any kind, and any other of the "Frankenmeats". Hot dogs? You've got to be shitting me!

If I can't afford real food, I'll eat beans and rice.