For many animal lovers, it is common to think of the animals in our lives as family. Whether a pet, a working animal, or wildlife, it is clear that each animal is a unique individual with a vivid inner world. In other words, it is clear that they are conscious beings.  

While this recognition of consciousness may seem obvious to FOUR PAWS supporters, science has taken a while to catch up. Encouragingly, in the last ten years, the interdisciplinary field of animal consciousness has emerged and is gaining traction within the larger scientific community. And in a major, positive step forward, in April of 2024, thought leaders and scientists in the field of animal consciousness shared The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness and presented their research through a forum provided by New York University.

The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness states that there is, “strong scientific support” for consciousness in mammals and birds, as well as, “a realistic possibility of conscious experience in all vertebrates…and many invertebrates.” And in conclusion, “when there is a realistic possibility of conscious experience in an animal, it is irresponsible to ignore that possibility in decisions affecting that animal. We should consider welfare risks and use the evidence to inform our responses to these risks.” ¹

In other words, it is very likely that most animals experience consciousness, and thus we must treat them as such and consider their welfare when making decisions which affect an animal.

The declaration was initially signed by 40 leaders in their fields, including experts in neuroscience, psychology, evolutionary biology, animal welfare, veterinary science, public policy, the social sciences, and the humanities. Many additional supporters have now also signed the declaration, and others with relevant experience are encouraged to offer their support  as well.

The goals of the declaration are to, first, encourage more research on this important topic, and second, to “encourage reflection on animal welfare,” particularly with regards to policy makers who determine regulations around animals.

This second goal is particularly important for improving the lives of animals who are under human influence, which is our main mission at FOUR PAWS. Once one recognizes that animals are conscious beings with individual needs, they cannot be treated as just another commodity, as is too often the case. If the physical and mental needs of the animals were to be acknowledged and addressed, it could lead to widespread policy changes which would improve the lives of wild animals--both those in captivity and those that live in the wild, farm animals, companion animals, animals used for science, and animals used in entertainment.

While animals such as primates, dogs, pigs, and dolphins have long been regarded as intelligent (even if their “consciousness” was called into question), further research has shown that a wide range of animals, including fish, reptiles, birds, and insects display characteristics and behaviors that are evidence of consciousness, such as learning, memory, planning, problem-solving, and self-awareness.