Recognising and Responding to Animal Emotion in a Shared World

Our perception of non-human animals' capacity to experience emotions influences how they are perceived and treated. This book explores the growing knowledge base around animal emotion, acknowledging that animals can experience feelings directly and examining the implications when humans apply or ignore this knowledge selectively between species and within species. It presents a proposed hierarchy of perceived non-human animals' emotional abilities and examines the implications for specific groups living with, caring for, or working with non-human animals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The perception of a cat can vary greatly depending on the context in which it is encountered. It can be perceived as a homeless annoyance, a potential research subject, or a thinking and feeling family member. This intriguing phenomenon is rooted in our understanding of non-human animals' emotional capacity. In this book, we delve into the growing body of evidence-based research, observations, interviews, and anecdotal case scenarios to explore the complex realm of animal emotion.

Recognizing that animals can experience feelings directly impacts how they are perceived and treated in various settings. The author examines the implications when humans selectively apply or ignore this knowledge across species and within species.

This information is presented within the framework of a proposed hierarchy of perceived non-human animals' emotional abilities, often based on human interpretations of their emotional capacity. Examples are provided to illustrate how this manifests at an emotional, spiritual, and moral level.

The book is particularly relevant to those working, studying, or researching in the veterinary professions, animal ethics, law, and welfare, as well as zoology, biology, and animal science. It also offers valuable insights to anyone interested in learning more about the animals with whom we share our planet.

For some readers, this book will validate the reciprocal emotional bond they feel for living creatures. For others, it will raise questions about the moral treatment of sentient non-human beings, challenging the human protective barrier of cognitive dissonance and initiating a cycle of change.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032287799