This is quite reductive considering that most pets are animals that have been domesticated by humans for hundreds and thousands of years.
In many cases we've bred them towards certain tasks and behavioral patterns, in the process we also bred out of them traits they often would need to survive in nature.
When humans did that then humans took on a responsibility, you can't just handwave that away with "these are animals, they are unworthy of any consideration".
> I've owned and will own pets again...but it's preposterous to compare the animal to the human.
It's preposterous to claim humans are not animals to justify inhumane treatment of other living, and in many cases highly emphatic, beings.
And not to get me wrong here: I'm not some kind of hardcore vegan who thinks all animal products should be banned. I'm merely recognizing that as the dominant species on this planet we have certain obligations towards the rest of it's inhabitants and particularly those we've utilized to get us where we are today.
I'm pretty sure my drunken parents' methods of pet care were not in fact humane or in any way to the benefit of the pets who were killed by it.
Also, I'm perplexed by people's use of the word "humane" when it comes to pets. If you want to treat them humanely (as you would other humans), open your front door and let them walk out to freedom. I've owned and will own pets again...but it's preposterous to compare the animal to the human.