Does being an animal lover automatically mean you "should be"

I am against animal cruelty, but I am not a vegetarian. The way I see it, it's all a part of nature. Lions eat zebra, whales eat seals, cats eat mice... people eat beef. How are we any different from any other carnivorous animal on the planet? It's nature, not cruelty. Cruelty is harming an animal for no particular reason.

Animals eating other animals is a natural part of ecosystems around the world. Humans are no different- our bodies are evolutionarily adapted to eating meat. I see nothing wrong with eating the way my body is designed to eat. I do, however, think that we should practice responsibility when we consume meat. First, moderation- our evolutionary ancestors probably did not eat 3 meat-filled meals every day, and we don't need to either. Over-consumption of meat can actually cause health problems. Second, I think that when possible we should choose meat that has been produced in a sustainable manner, and as humanely as possible. This is a big part of why I don't eat a lot of meat anymore- I can't afford the high price of meat that is produced with high environmental and humane standards.

I love animals, very much but as much as I do I am not a vegetarian. I know I should be at least it would be healthier for me. But If I seen the animals as pets and if I loved them I surely couldn't eat them or ones like them and I would be a vegetarian but until I become friends with them I guess it isn't against the rules chow down on them. But to each their own..that is what makes everyone so different and special.

I am a wildlife biologist, an avid animal lover, and very omnivorous. :) Humans are omnivores by design - we biologically require animal proteins and animal fats, as well as plant nutrients, to thrive. Sure, we can survive as vegetarians, but the proteins you acquire from eating legumes and other veggies is not of the same quality. I am also pro-hunting, as that is a very good means of population control for animals. That doesn't make me pro-cruelty. I think Michael Vick should be hung by his nuts. But quickly ending an animals life and using that animal for sustenance is something humans have done for thousands of years. That was how the balance was maintained all those years ago. I don't see a problem with it. However, factory farming and the cruelty that goes on within it is a serious problem. I think you can eat meat and be responsible about it. Choose local, organic farmers and ranchers. Choose people that practice sustainable farming and humane treatment of their livestock, from birth to slaughter. Free-range, grassfed animals that are humanely butchered is the way to go, IMO.

Cruelty has nothing to do with what you eat. Cruelty has to do with killing unnecesarilly (as in wars, for instance). Cruelty has to do with getting fat and not caring that there are millions of hungry people in the world. I love my dog (I don´t think I love ALL dogs) and we share some common interests. One of them is meat. I must say that my steaks are bigger, juicier and better than hers but after all, I´m the cook. As I grow older I eat less meat. But it´s only because it agrees more with my stomach. Nothing to do with ideas of any kind Take care

In my opinion, "animal lover" could not equal to "vegetarian"; and "anti-cruelty" also could not equal to "vegetarian".These are three different items. Most "animal lover" are the anti-cruelty, while some of the "anti-cruelty" are not the "animal lover"; The "vegetarian" can be in any circle, they might be the animal lover or the anti-cruelty, or other commons. "animal lover" is divided by your hobby; "vegetarian" is divided by your life style; and "anti-cruelty" is divided by the attitude of your life. It makes no sense to compare these three different items. What do you think? Bless you! ^-^

it is up to you. it is ur life. do what makes u feel happy. i am a vegetarian and i am into animals. but i do it because it makes me happy. i do it for me only, and not for anyone else.

Lots of good ideas have been written here, and statements about humans being naturally exposed to consumption of food deserve to exist. Let's look deeper - into the history of everything alive. Major religions of the world support eating animals (except those species that are the saint ones)because their function is to help humans to survive physically and psychologically as well. Believers of evolutionary process are to have the same opinion about eating meat, just with another interpretation - surviving of the fittest and genetic roots of human beings make it natural for us to eat meat. I guess vegetarian culture has taken so much attention now because of the development of our civilization, and I think it is a natural process. For many of us the questions of morality/humanity have become more important, and often they start to contradict with the settled life and attitudes of our ancestors. And so it is no more a question on how it was, or what is our nature, but on who we wonna be in the future. If we eat meat, should we painlessly imagine that some day we will have a dinner out of our favorite pet, and it will be ok..Why then there's such a difference between eating a cow and a dog, is the second choice less human than the first one? I still don't think that the person eating meat has always to be more cruel than the one who does not. And a lot comes from the fact that many of us already got used to buy meat in the stores, without actually seeing how an animal is killed and packed. I think that after such scenes many of us would think more about becoming vegetarian.

I love animals myself however i am NOT going to kill one just to eat it. You can love animals and still eat meat. I dont care much for meat and dont eat a lot of it but i do from time to time eat it. I know a lot of people that say god put this animals on the earth so that we'd have food which i think is not true but i could be i guess just depends on your personal views of the situation.

I love animals. I love meat. Look at it this way. If we didn't practice things such as hunting, the animal population would get way out of control and they would all die from starvation an disease. Wouldn't that be more cruel than eating them? No, you don't have to be a vegetarian if you love animals. I am a member of PETA. I volunteer at the local no-kill shelter. I am trying to start my own Pit Bull rescue (I know, we don't eat dogs LOL). I am active in a number of other "Save the Animals" groups. But I still LOVE to eat meat.

I think you are right, you can be anti-cruelty and still eat meat. Just because your a animal lover doesn't mean you have to stop eating meat. A animal lover to me is someone who is for the protection of aminals. They want to see the treated and cared for with respect and love. Not used for testing and exiperments.. etc....

i am an animal lover but i eat meat.. i just get used to it. but when the animals are from our farm i can't eat it. maybe because i took care of the animal and i became close to it. it's really hard to explain, maybe i just have to become a vegetarian

Animal lovers does not mean you start eating vegeterian foods.This is rediculous! I mean,I love cats and have two in my own house. So peting an animal is good social work and nothing to do with food habits.