Our story begins with humans and animals living in harmony, although it also describes a perspective of human mastery over animals.  A mitzvah of our tradition is “Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim”, avoidance of cruelty to animals.  The more we learn of animal sentience, the more we are required to consider and adjust how we relate to the animals with whom we share this planet, especially in terms of how we consume and use them and destroy their natural habitat.  See these links for more information.  

On Ethical Eating

by Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins

June 2, 2017