Photo: Louise Jorgensen \ We Animals Media.
- The Vancouver Humane Society and other experts and organizations across Canada are calling on the federal government to recognize animals as sentient beings under the law.
- Under current Canadian law, animals are not considered sentient beings; they are classified as property.
- Sentience is the ability to experience feelings and sensations, and is an ethical basis for determining that animals deserve moral and legal consideration.
- Experts agree there is scientific evidence that all vertebrates and many invertebrates are sentient.
- If passed, this legislation would help to strengthen legal protections for animal well-being.