Animals are thinking, feeling beings and therefore what happens to them, matters to us.
Sentience in animals (currently recognised in the UK by the Treaty of Lisbon 2009) indicates that they have feelings and emotions and can experience pain, frustration, fear – contentment and even joy. It is therefore important that their physical and mental welfare is fully considered in all our interactions with them. Their welfare is important to them and to us.
'A sentient animal is one for whom feelings matter'
– John Webster, Professor Emeritas, University of Bristol.
