“Sheep may be capable of using the same system (as humans) to remember and respond emotionally to individuals in their absence.” —Dr. Keith Kendrick, the Babraham Institute

Scientists Say That Sheep Have Feelings, Too!

Common sense tells us that sheep—like all animals—feel complex emotions and are capable of conscious thought. Now, findings from a new study conducted by the Babraham Institute in the U.K. have proved these facts again.

The study used face-recognition exercises to demonstrate that sheep can remember as many as 50 different sheep faces, and even the faces of familiar people, for up to two years. The study also shows that sheep experience emotions and respond to their environments in many of the same ways that humans do.

While this may not come as a surprise to the millions of people worldwide who have already concluded that sheep, like all animals, have complex thoughts and emotions, it’s nonetheless an encouraging study—one that can help convince more people to pass up that new wool sweater and switch to animal-friendly fabrics that don’t cause suffering instead.

Click here to read a BBC news story describing the study.