If you’re on TikTok, you may have seen videos of people rescuing spiders, bees, and other small animals, with captions along the lines of “I hope I’m not killed for being small.” This trend was inspired by several similar quotes, including a tweet by writer Kayla Ancrum and a poem by Althea Davis posted on TikTok. Those words have inspired people to share the message that everyone of diminutive size, from insects to small mammals, is just as worthy of life as humans are.

Every animal is someone, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals. We can recognize that everyone has the capacity to feel fear and pain. Everyone also has inherent worth and the right to live free from unnecessary suffering. Being afraid of someone who’s different from us is no reason to attack them, and it certainly doesn’t give us the right to kill them.

This simple but profoundly meaningful TikTok trend is a reminder that we can and should extend our compassion to the smallest sentient beings. We can save a bee from drowning in our swimming pool or gently move a spider from inside our home to a safe place outdoors—we recommend using a humane bug catcher to help. We can keep pesticides out of our gardens and use nontoxic methods to deter unwanted houseguests.

Insects are important to the Earth’s ecosystems, and we can be good stewards of the planet by living in harmony with all sentient beings.

All animals deserve to live. Please, go vegan and help save the lives of countless cows, chickens, pigs, and other animals who are exploited by the meat and dairy industries:

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