Recognising sentience means that SPCA acknowledges animals as individuals who have meaningful and unique emotions and experiences.

There is significant evidence supporting the sentience of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and some decapod crustaceans and cephalopods (such as crayfish, crabs, octopus and squid). The evidence supporting the sentience of some animals such as insects or molluscs is not as clear.

SPCA supports ongoing research into animal sentience to improve understanding of what sentience means for different animal species and life stages.

SPCA supports the inclusion of the word “sentience” in the Animal Welfare Act 1999. SPCA advocates for a definition of sentience to be added to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 as well as an explicit acknowledgement of a range of mental states in animals, both positive and negative.

Animal sentience was included in the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (the Act) in 2015. The inclusion of sentience in the Act with no accompanying definition makes the practical impact of its inclusion unclear.

Animals are referred to as “it” throughout the Act, which objectifies animals and does not support the recognition of their sentience. SPCA recommends using “they”, “their” or “them” instead of “it” when referring to animals.

Sentience is the capacity of animals to perceive by their senses and, thereby, to consciously experience both negative and positive mental states (feelings, emotions and experiences) that are important to them and which influence their welfare. This range of mental states should be explicitly acknowledged in legislation.

SPCA advocates for animal sentience to be integrated into the development of minimum standards and regulations.

SPCA supports the consideration of animal sentience whenever standards are developed under this Act.

Standards should aim to minimise the experience of avoidable negative emotions in animals (such as fear, anxiety, helplessness and loneliness) and require opportunities for normal behaviour and positive experiences (such as play, exploration, comfort and appropriate social interaction).