For those of us who share our lives with animals, their ability to feel is undeniable. We witness it daily in their body language, their voices, and the way they interact—with each other and with us.
At Serenity Farm Virginia, I’ve seen a goat grieve deeply for his donkey companion, refusing to leave her side until she was buried, then lying beside her grave for the rest of the day. Each morning in the cattery begins with a joyful chorus of meows, eager leg rubs, and exuberant leaps. Petunia’s grunts, squeaks, and her full-speed dash to greet visitors radiate happiness. And Alfonzo’s quiet gratitude after being rescued from unimaginable suffering spoke volumes without a single word.
Why it Matters
Recognizing the emotional lives of animals changes the way we see them—and the way we treat them. It calls us to listen more closely, to respond with empathy, and to honor their experiences. At Serenity Farm Virginia, we don’t just care for animals—we respect them as sentient beings with deep emotional worlds.
Yet in many circles, particularly in science and industry—acknowledging the emotional lives of animals is still met with skepticism. Describing an animal’s behavior using words like fear, affection, or sorrow is often dismissed as anthropomorphism—the act of attributing human characteristics to non-human beings.
But animals are not so different from us. We share approximately 98% of our DNA with chimpanzees and even the tiny fruit fly shares about 60% of its genes with us, highlighting the remarkable genetic connections across species. Studies have shown that many species, including birds and fish are capable of empathy, self-awareness, and complex reasoning. Elephants have been observed attempting to revive dying calves, aided by other family members, and later grieving their loss. In South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a hippopotamus was seen charging into the water to save an impala from a crocodile. After driving the predator away, the hippo stayed by the impala’s side and licked their wounds, only moving on once the animal passed.
When primatologist Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, she was sharply criticized by the scientific establishment, not only for naming the individuals she studied instead of assigning them numbers, but also for describing their personalities, familial bonds, and emotional depth. Today, her findings are widely embraced, and her empathy-led approach has reshaped how we understand not only chimpanzees, but the emotional lives of animals as a whole.
Modern research continues to confirm what animal guardians have always known. Philosopher and animal rights pioneer Tom Regan wrote,
“Like us, they possess different sensory, cognitive, conative, and volitional capacities. They see and hear, believe and desire, remember and anticipate, plan and intend. Moreover, what happens to them matters to them. Physical pleasure and pain—they share with us. But also fear and contentment, anger and loneliness, frustration and satisfaction, cunning and imprudence.”
Still, much of society clings to the belief that animals are lesser—unfeeling, mechanical beings placed here for our use. This denial is convenient. It spares us from guilt, shields us from responsibility, and allows systems of suffering to continue unquestioned.
Is society refusing to acknowledge that animals experience feelings and emotions much like ourselves in order to justify their exploitation and suffering at the hands of man? Perhaps the more uncomfortable truth is not that animals are like us—but that we are not so different from them.
Help Us Continue This Work
Every rescue, every moment of healing, and every spark of joy we witness at Serenity Farm Virginia is made possible by people like you. Your support allows us to provide a safe, loving home for animals who have suffered—and to share their stories in ways that educate, inspire, and build a more compassionate world. Please consider making a donation. Together, we can continue this vital work of rescue, care, and connection.
Wishing you serenity and peace,
Jo Bighouse, Founder