@ossobuco,
I think I understand what you're saying, osso.
When I said "affluent" in reference to animal treatment I meant that when peoples lives are materially comfortable, their pets' lives tend to be more comfortable, too.
What I find deeply offensive is when businesses or owners treat animals with more cruelty than is necessary (reducing them to
objects, almost) , because they can make much more profit than by treating them with compassion. You can obviously make many more $$$$ by "farming" chickens in a battery chicken factory, rather than allowing them some freedom of movement, some sort of reasonable existence, before they're slaughtered. The lives of these creatures is cruel & hideous beyond imagining & it amazes me that such treatment is tolerated, or lawful in affluent, educated societies.
