Animal rights advocates believe that animals possess what?

Animal rights advocates contend that animals possess feelings and emotions deserving of rights. This perspective emphasizes the idea that animals are not just mere objects for human use but are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, joy, and suffering. This belief calls for recognition of their inherent value and the moral obligation to treat them with respect and consideration, similar to the rights afforded to humans.

The focus on emotions underscores the need to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation because their emotional experiences are deemed worthy of ethical consideration. Advocacy for animal rights often involves campaigning against practices that cause suffering, such as factory farming, animal testing, and other forms of animal exploitation, arguing that all sentient beings have the right to live free from harm and distress. This perspective stands in contrast to more utilitarian views that might prioritize human superiority or capability over the emotional and ethical claims of animals.