But what about the piggies and the cowsies and the absolute units???

I know I really need to lay off the vegan-themed blogs BUT I saw this comment on a post via Facebook about Richard Branson supporting alternatives to meat and I just HAD to respond-slash-rant. Here it is:

"But my worry is what will happen to all the animals. 

I am vegetarian and love animals but if no-one makes a profit from farm animals, 

will anyone look after them or will they be left to roam wild. 

It's such a dilemma but animals do need to be protected"

And this response from another complete idiot:

"Exactly my concern. If there is no profit in raising cattle, pigs, etc., who will raise them? What will become of them? 

If everyone becomes vegan, then chickens, goats and more will also become too expensive to feed and provide veterinary care. It's not that simple."

WHAT??? Honestly, the stupidity here is mind-boggling, especially from someone who already identifies as vegetarian, but sadly it's an argument I have heard time and again.

Who is 'looking after' the animals now? Animals are BRED to be used and abused and slaughtered for our 'needs'. Is that 'looking after' them? We feed them so they can grow. We give them medical aid so their flesh is safe to eat. We address only our needs not theirs.

Farm animals exist not because they were provided for our use because God or nature created them that way but because of animal husbandry. The selective breeding of animals which originally existed in the wild changed them beyond all recognition. They would most likely not survive in the wild although I think rehabilitation would be possible. As and when meat production ends they will simply not be bred anymore. Just as since motor vehicles came in people breed far less cart-horses! It is AMAZINGLY simple.

The meat industry will, sadly, not screech to a halt overnight leaving millions of farmed animals to starve. IF it ever ends completely it will fizzle out slowly, become a niche market and only THEN will the industry die out, with comparatively few animals left within it. And what would most likely happen is that show animals, petting zoos and regular zoos would prevent certain breeds and species from going extinct. Hopefully existing agricultural laws would protect any farmers' unwanted livestock from being left to starve or whatever these idiots imagine will happen...

Seriously, how do people not understand this?!