They are not putting them on the same level. Rather, you are trying to say animals have no value, not that they have less value than a human. You and every vegan agree that humans have more value than animals. Vegans simply disagree with you that animals have no value. Their lives must still be considered, even if they are not as important as a human being. They are not so worthless that your sensory enjoyment is worth more than their actual lives, even ignoring the direct harm it causes you and other humans.
Imagine if you only thought that human beings that you were personally related to or loved had intrinsic value and everyone else can be treated like, well, meat. That’s very close to what you’re suggesting here.
They are not putting them on the same level. Rather, you are trying to say animals have no value, not that they have less value than a human. You and every vegan agree that humans have more value than animals. Vegans simply disagree with you that animals have no value. Their lives must still be considered, even if they are not as important as a human being. They are not so worthless that your sensory enjoyment is worth more than their actual lives, even ignoring the direct harm it causes you and other humans.
Imagine if you only thought that human beings that you were personally related to or loved had intrinsic value and everyone else can be treated like, well, meat. That’s very close to what you’re suggesting here.