Singer vs. Pollan

This week we had to read excerpts from The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. Pollan and Singer have different takes on becoming a vegetarian. I was going to outline both their arguments but ultimately they come to a similar conclusion. Singer argues that the best way to combat factory farming is to become either vegetarian or vegan; to directly hit factory farms where it hurts the most: in meat aisle. Pollan on the other hand comes to the conclusion that "what's wrong with eating animals is the practice, not the principle". He thinks those who truly care about animals (and want to continue to eat meat) should work to ensure that the animals they eat are raised without suffering and killed swiftly/painlessly. Pollan concludes that we need better animal welfare, not animal rights.

Which made me wonder what is the difference between welfare and rights? Are they one in the same?
Welfare: 1. The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group. 2. Statutory procedure or social effort designed to promote the basic physical and material well-being of people in need.
Rights: That which is morally correct, just or honorable. 

Based on these definitions, I think that Pollan and Singer are fighting for the same thing but offering different solutions to the problem. They both recognize that animals deserve a certain quality of life before death; Singer says the best solution is to become a vegetarian or vegan, while Pollan suggests transparency of the farming industry (specifically of the kill floor) because if everyone was to see how the animals they eat are killed, our factory farming techniques would soon cease to exist.

I think at the end of the day both are correct. For some, not eating meat isn't an option but supporting family farms that raise and slaughter animals humanely is an option. People who love animals and love eating meat can support that option. As a college student myself, being a vegetarian is much easier. I can't afford to pay extra money on humanely raised meat, but I'm still is some small way affecting the factory farming business. What it comes down to is personal preference. As long as you're taking some action against factory farming, its a step in the right direction for us and the animals.