Animals vs. Catholicism

I know, like most of us, a person who's a devout Catholic and she explained to me that animals were created by God for our own well-being; "for our own good." is what she said. She also went on to insult vegetarians using alliteration saying they were "stupid" by ignoring the "good gifts of God." She also explained that animals do not have souls.

The idea of something "good" initially depends on the person, wouldn't you say? I think good music is Classic Rock. You do not. Does the universe conspire with you or with me? I say, neither, and others would agree. Essentially, I could say, I feel "good" that an animal I could've eaten is still alive. And how do you define what is and what is not a soul? And by which definition confines humans to being the only one with souls? When I see an animal, I can see that each animal fights for its life if it's threatened. Does that not represent that animals too have something within them that wants to live?

Humans are simply monkeys with more brain power. Does intellect make us more superior? We're allowed to destroy other animals because we're smarter? Seems like an abuse of power to me.