RSPCA has launched its new For Every Kind campaign to mark its 200th year.

This initiative comes in light of shocking poll results revealing a stark discrepancy in the way people perceive different animals and their right to a fulfilling life.

The survey revealed that in the South West, 94 per cent believe dogs can experience positive emotions such as happiness.

While only 40 per cent believe the same for rats, and 39 per cent for chickens.

An overwhelming majority felt that their pets deserved a ‘happy and healthy life’ (dogs 98 per cent, rabbits 96 per cent), yet fewer extended this sentiment to lab animals (rats 74 per cent, rabbits 79 per cent).

Particularly surprising was that only 29 per cent indicated they would be saddened by the extinction of pigs, compared to 83 per cent for dogs.

On Thursday, April 11, the RSPCA has launched the For Every Kind campaign, championing the lives of all creature and urging a million acts of kindness in celebration of its bicentenary.

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, said: "We are devoted to our cats and dogs, but we often don’t realise we are connected to billions of other animals in our lives, through the things we buy and the choices we make.

"All animals are amazing, but sadly we’ve come to see many creatures as commodities and we value their lives differently because of it."

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He continued: "All animals deserve our kindness and respect and the first step to changing the way we treat animals is changing how we see and feel about them.

"The RSPCA has a critical role to play, but we can’t do this alone, we need as many people as possible to join us to build a better world for animals".

To promote the campaign, the RSPCA will launch a new brand identity - their first in 50 years - and a new advertisement featuring animals singing Aretha Franklin’s Respect.

If you are interested in joining in with the RSPCA's mission and want to perform your very own acts of kindness, visit: rspca.org.uk/everykind for further details.