I understand your point of view.
As a meat seller, I can see a little bit "the world of the meat" and I can tell you that most of the animals killed don't suffer. Sadly (and hopefully in the same time), the associations show us the worst things, where pigs or chickens get killed by others pigs and chickens because they don't have enough place to survive. Yes, the chickens killed don't have an enjoyable life, they live 30, 50 or 80 days and then they are killed, but others animals do have a better life.
In France, animals are dizzy before being killed, so we are sure they don't suffer.
Concerning emotions, I agree with you on the fact that some of them have a sad life. But for example if you take a beef, they most of the time live and grow up in fields, so I don't see any problem in this.
We have always eaten animals so I don't see why it should stop now. Humans are mentally superiors than others animals, so i think we should be able to do something for the animals, so they feel like they have a good and enjoyable life before their death.
As NickCole said, the best is to eat local. If you have enough money, just don't hesitate. You'll permit small or national producers to live. I don't know how it is in North America but in France people are searching more and more local meat, and that is the way to follow.
