Your statement "I am very interested in protecting the welfare of animals" intrigues me. I have rather extensive knowledge of farming and hunting processes. While I don't doubt the sincerity of many involved in the "animal rights movement", their ignorance of real facts has served to do damage to the very creatures they profess to want to protect. What do you mean by "protecting the welfare of animals?" Are you opposed to "farrowing crates?" "docking cows and pigs?" "dehorning cows?" "debeaking chickens or turkeys?" What about hunting and trapping? Are you opposed to those activities?
What is your philosophical/theological basis for your beliefs? What is our responsibility to "subdue the earth" (Gen. 1:28 NIV)? Does that include using common sense to protect the animal kingdom from themselves?