On the flip side, it is very hard for people to view a food item as a companion animal. Don't fault people because they choose not to make all of their animals pets.

If the animal is cared for in a humane matter, we shouldn't chastise people for not connecting with each animal they care for on a personal level.

But, it is okay to chastise when they don't treat the animal as a living, breathing thing, worthy of being treated humanly, in my opinion.