It's not hypocrisy - it's politics. In any debate you would expect each side to put their side of the story in the way that gets them the best press.
I don't think they are heartless, I just think they genuinely see them as commodities - an attitude which has persisted for millennia and exists...
When you breed animals for pets there is a natural desire to sustain their lives as long as possible. When animals only exist (i.e. are bred) for a purpose then their "natural" life expectancy is much shorter: the duration for which they serve the purpose. Sheep bred to be become lamb or cows...