In spiritual terms, the essence of those who dwell in the animal sphere where individuality and conscious do not exist.
A temporary consciousness can however be provided to an animal when love exists between a person and the animal. This temporary consciousness can extend even beyond the grave of matter. Such a bond is not enduring, for at some stage, the essence of an animal and the individual person that gave it love, part company. This is because the animal cannot keep pace with the growing soul that restlessly struggles towards the greater light.
Just as the power of spirit breathed life into animals, we have the power to transfer the attribute of spirit into the next line of evolution -- so that by association, by radiating love, we awaken that consciousness which in time, through the process of evolution, would reach its own apex.
Those who are brought up to be cruel to animals, have their earthly teachings undone when they finally reach the other side. They would be taken to animal spheres to see what they are really like when they are allowed to have contact with those who love them and understand them. Gradually, the false teaching is shed as greater knowledge rises. The effects of cruelty are shown to be observed not only on the animals, but on the one who performs the act.
Man erroneously believes he can produce remedies for diseases, which he has created, by animal experimentation and vivisection. Both these experiments and diseases are caused by living contrary to the power of spirit and its natural law. Remedies can and will be found for all our diseases, but not by experimentation with animals.
Animals, particularly cats and dogs, are often more psychic than human beings because they have not had to face the civilized life of economic, sociological and material problems that human beings do.