The recognition of animal sentience in science and law is reshaping how we think about and respond to animal welfare, with significant practical implications.
The scientific and legal recognition of animal sentience is the foundational shift underlying all progress in animal welfare. Once we accept that animals can suffer and experience positive states, we have moral obligations to take their welfare seriously. The challenge is translating recognition into consistent and effective policy and practice. The Animal Sentience Committee in the UK provides a mechanism for evidence-based policy advice that could drive substantial welfare improvement if properly resourced and engaged.