10-16-2015, 05:34 PM
We all objectify animals. One of the defining characteristics of mankind is that we manipulate our environment. Any solution to any problem that requires fundamentally overriding human nature is doomed to failure. Talk of outlawing zoos and not keeping pets is the language of fantasy and failure because it simply is not going to happen. Furthermore, while it is certainly possible for zoos to be inadequate, they don't have to be and not all are. As for domesticated animals, I have seen people who clearly have no idea what their pets' emotional needs are and who clearly are causing their pets to feel stress. Anyone who dresses their pets up is a good example. On the other hand, it does not take much imagination to see that our dogs and cats would much prefer to sleep inside and eat the food we give them than to return to the wild.