Eating E.T.: Carnism and Speciesism
RAGNHILD SOLLUND: The categorical divisions humans make of non-human animals largely determine how we treat them—for example, ‘production animals’ are eaten, ‘fur animals’ are killed and skinned, ‘racehorses’ and ‘race dogs’ are forced to compete, and ‘animal research models’ are used in experiments. The different categories also offer moral guidance regarding the legitimacy of the treatment to which humans subject them. Our ‘pets’ have a special position; they are our companions, our ‘children’. Many ‘pet’ keepers will refer to themselves as mum or dad when speaking to their pets, and…