Animal Sentience (concept)

Animal sentience refers to the capacity of animals to experience feelings, sensations, and perceptions, such as pain, pleasure, fear, and joy. It recognizes that animals are not just biological entities but capable of subjective experiences. This concept highlights that animals can perceive their environment and respond emotionally, implying a moral consideration for their well-being. Understanding animal sentience is important for ethical treatment and informs laws and practices related to animal welfare, emphasizing that animals are more than resources—they are sentient beings with inner subjective lives.