The RSPCA said we need to “radically rethink” our relationship with all animals as it launches its new For Every Kind campaign to mark its 200th year.
The charity revealed new polling which shows a stark difference in the way we see animals, depending on whether they are in our homes, in labs, on farms or in the wild and says we have become disconnected to many of the animals around us.
Polling reveals 90% of people think dogs can experience positive emotions like happiness but only 42% think chickens can and only half of people think pigs can be happy.
In reality, chickens and pigs experience lives rich in emotions – chickens can count and show the foundations of empathy for their flock mates, and pigs are around the fifth most intelligent animal in the world – and can even play video games!
Despite this, only a quarter of people said they would be sad if pigs no longer existed in the world. The polling of more than 2,500 adults by Savanta further revealed:
- 8 in 10 people (80%) think a farmed egg-laying hen deserves a happy and healthy life compared to 3 in 4 (74%) for a farmed meat chicken.
- Only 39% of people think chickens can experience negative emotions
- The younger generation (18-24) are more likely to think that chickens can feel fear (72%) compared to 59% of people aged 65 and over.
- Women were significantly more likely to think that dogs (89% vs 83%) and cats (88% vs 81%) can experience fear. However, men were significantly more likely to think that chickens can (66% vs 62%).
The RSPCA has launched a new campaign For Every Kind, urging people to care about the lives of every animal and carry out one million acts of kindness for animals to mark its 200th anniversary.
Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, said: “We are devoted to our cats and dogs, but we often don’t realise we are connected to billions of other animals in our lives, through the things we buy and the choices we make. All animals are amazing, but sadly we’ve come to see many creatures as commodities and we value their lives differently because of it.
“As a society, we love our native birds, but turn a blind eye to the suffering of billions of meat chickens. We need to realise that many animals can feel joy, anger, fear, and more, and whether they are pets, wildlife, on farms or in labs, they deserve to have a fulfilled life of their own.”
The For Every Kind campaign has launched with a new brand for the RSPCA – for the first time in 50 years – and a new advert which sees singing cartoon animals performing Aretha Franklin’s iconic hit to call for Respect.
Celebrities including RSPCA president and conservationist Chris Packham and RSPCA ambassadors champion ballroom dancer and TV judge Shirley Ballas, actor Brian Blessed, JLS singer and TV presenter JB Gill, and TV personality Pete Wicks, are all supporting the campaign and lending their voices to the warbling creatures.
RSPCA vice-president Brian Blessed said: “In the new RSPCA advert I play a lobster – and it fills me with immense sadness that all too often these animals are not treated with the same kindness and respect as others.
“Animals can feel sadness and pain but also great joy and happiness too. I learnt not that long ago that rats actually giggle! Knowing things like this really makes you see them in a whole new light – and that is what I hope other people will do too after watching the RSPCA’s new advert.
“Every animal deserves kindness and respect and I am joining the RSPCA’s Million Strong Movement for Animals to play my part in making sure animals have a better life.”
