They know and follow their master by name... they are sacrificial animals more than food, raised to find the unblemished for sacrifice. Yes for food and covering.. as i stated before, which is acceptable.
They were led by rod and staff, as are we.
The Lord himself asks Peter to feed his sheep... these animals were used as food, only as required. There aren’t a lot of notes about the shepherds, but they didn’t have a meat first diet, as demomstrated by The Lord’s supper.
All of which suggests that cruelty to animals is not related to lack of belief in God. I’m sure there are plenty of atheists out there who are vegans.