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Human Animal Connection in a World That Doesn't Understand

Sep 22 / Dr Teresa Tyler

I recently visited a local garden centre, as I often do, to enjoy the beauty of the plants and consider what I might add to my garden. As I wandered around, I came across an African Grey parrot alone in a cage at the back of the building. Naturally, I went over to greet them, but I noticed the bird seemed wary of me, with raised feathers and a focused stare. Many of their chest feathers were missing, likely plucked out, a common behaviour in caged birds experiencing stress, anxiety, or isolation (Engebretson, 2006). We had a brief interaction where the parrot cautiously began playing with my car keys and vocalised a little more openly before I left. Yet, the experience left me feeling frustrated, down, and powerless to help in any meaningful way.


I’ve always felt deeply connected to non-human animals, and I seem more attuned to their suffering than others. I believe this connection stems from a combination of empathy and sensitivity, which psychology recognises as key factors in our relationships with animals. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is often heightened in those who are especially attuned to animals. People with high levels of empathy often extend this capacity beyond human beings, which allows us to sense an animal’s needs, emotions, and even pain in ways that others might overlook (Zilkha et al., 2021). 
For many of us, animals aren’t just pets or creatures to admire—they are beings with lives and feelings as valuable as any human's. Those with a deep empathy for animals are often more sensitive to the subtle signs of their distress, whether it’s their body language, behaviour, or the conditions of their environment. For example, where others might see a parrot in a garden centre and assume they’re just "acting normally," I immediately noticed the feather plucking and wary behaviour as signs of stress. This level of sensitivity helps us pick up on suffering that others might dismiss as unimportant or fail to recognise (Serpell, 2021).  
Animals also offer a sense of emotional safety for people like me. Unlike humans, they don’t judge or criticise, and they live fully in the moment, offering a pure, honest connection. This quality can make the bond we share with animals feel even stronger, especially for those of us who value authenticity and acceptance.
For me, being around animals feels like a space where I can be myself without fear of judgment, and I imagine others feel similarly (Herzog, 2020).  
This connection also drives a strong sense of responsibility to protect animals, particularly those who cannot advocate for themselves. Companion animals, in particular, rely on humans for their well-being, and witnessing their suffering—whether due to neglect, environmental factors, or ignorance—can trigger deep emotional responses.
In some ways, it’s this responsibility that deepens our bond with them, and it is why I often feel the weight of their suffering more acutely than others (Proctor, 2020).

However, not everyone sees animals through this same lens.

Some view animals in a more utilitarian or pragmatic way, seeing them as less capable of feeling complex emotions. This difference isn’t always due to a lack of compassion but stems from different social and cultural conditioning. In some societies, animals are regarded as commodities, meant to serve human purposes, whether as companions, working animals, or sources of food. These cultural norms can desensitise people to the suffering of animals, even if they feel affection for their animal companions (Nijland et al., 2020).  
For those of us who feel deeply connected to animals, it’s difficult to ignore the suffering of any sentient being. The belief that animals have intrinsic worth and should be treated with respect and care, can make it even harder to accept situations where they are mistreated or neglected. We see them as sentient beings, deserving of dignity and compassion, and witnessing their suffering often feels personal (Gruen, 2020).  
One of the challenges of feeling so connected to animals and seeing their suffering where others do not is the frustration and helplessness that can come with it. It can be isolating to feel like others don’t share your concern or to be confronted with situations where you can’t do much to help.
However, remember that this sensitivity is also a gift. It enables us to advocate for animals who cannot speak, (or be heard) for themselves and to raise awareness of their suffering, which might otherwise go unnoticed.  
To cope with these feelings, I surround myself with like-minded people who share a similar love for animals and understand this sensitivity. I find purpose in helping animals directly and educating others about their well-being. By channelling this empathy into action, we can make a difference for the animals we care so deeply about.  

References  
Engebretson, M. (2006). The welfare and suitability of parrots as companion animals: A review. Animal Welfare, 15(3), 263-276.  
Gruen, L. (2020). Entangled empathy: An alternative ethic for our relationships with animals. Lantern Books.  
Herzog, H. (2020). Some we love, some we hate, some we eat: Why it’s so hard to think straight about animals. Harper Perennial.  
Nijland, H. J., Valk, H. A. G., & Lammers, A. (2020). Public attitudes toward farm animal welfare and meat consumption in the Netherlands. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 33(2), 227-247.  
Proctor, H. (2020). Animal Sentience: The Science Behind Animal Consciousness. Cambridge University Press.  
Serpell, J. A. (2021). The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People. Cambridge University Press.  
Zilkha, N., Sofer, Y., & Ben-Shaul, Y. (2021). A call to empathy: Can empathy toward animals motivate changes in human behavior? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 25(10), 861-873.    
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