Consumption of the Animal

Abstract

A major way in which humans experience other animals in their everyday lives is through the consumption of food. Many humans eat ‘meat’-based products, drink milk and consume related products such as cheese and butter. Not only are parts, pieces and derivatives of other animals present in many of the foods that humans eat, they are ubiquitous (while often invisible) components of a range of other consumer products such as wool in fabrics and furnishings; fur in clothing; feathers in pillows and cushions; skin in shoes, coats and bags; bone in glue, ornaments and jewellery; and gelatine in photographs and capsule casings. Shopping is the second most popular leisure activity in Britain and other animals are a major component of what we buy. From the living ‘pet’ for the home to the dead creature on the plate, our shopping experiences are replete with other animals, and increasing wealth along with the concomitant growth of consumption has led to an increased demand for other animals for consumption.