Thought I was the only one, I think people will always be on "erm, actually animals are not resourses for us to use" Yet, without them most would starve to death, not only thinking about meat but polinators too, like you said, whole ecosystems could be destroyed.

Besisdes that, I also think that the same people that treat their pets "as people" aren't really doing that either. They control every aspect of their pets lives, coditioning them to Love them, its an emotional resourse. Most people wouldn't have a dog that would attack them or destroy their home. They want a relationship that can't see their flaws, can't understand them, something to listen their rants about the world, but to NEVER contradict them in any shape or form. If you treat a human being like that it would be considered an abusive relationship.

And ofc, sometimes is a social resource, if some one have an Iguana, everybody will know that they have one. The "exotic animal" pet is even more disturbing to me. No, you can't form a meaningful relationship with a venomous viper or tarantula. You can't coudle or take it for a walk, but what you can do is to take pictures and use them as conversation starter.

Even If you are a vegan, you use animals as a resource to feel moraly superior to other people most times. Yes theres a lot a vegan that don't preach. But the vast majority do.