A groundbreaking decision that other countries should follow.

New Zealand has set a great example to the world by recognizing what animal lovers have known forever - that our furry friends are as sentient as we are, and (obviously) have feelings, just like we do. This groundbreaking New Zealand ruling is the first time that this change in perception and policy has been extended to all animals, not just chimpanzees, orangutans or dolphins.

The Animal Welfare Amendment Act, which was passed last month, aims to make it easier to prosecute people in cases of animal cruelty and to ban animal testing and research.

Animal welfare activists celebrated the decision. "To say that animals are sentient is explicitly to say that they can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and stress," said Dr. Virginia Williams, Chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee. "Expressiveness is what's new and marks another step along the animal welfare journey."

The President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, Dr. Steve Merchant, said the bill would provide greater clarity, transparency, and enforceability of animal welfare legislation, according to the regional newspaper Nelson Mail.

"Expectations about animal welfare have changed rapidly and practices that used to be common for pets and livestock are no longer acceptable or tolerable," he said. "The bill brings legislation into line with our nation's changing attitude towards the status of animals in society."

Read the whole bill here. I definitely hope that the rest of the world will join in!