Experts have expressed concern about the 'therian' movement, fearing their behavior could harm animals. 'Therians' are people who, while aware of being human, claim to internally identify with a certain animal and imitate it. They may use masks, tails, claw-like gloves, and other accessories. According to PACMA animal party spokeswoman Yolanda Morales, such individuals could be negatively perceived by animals. For instance, confused and excited dogs might bite a 'therian,' leading to complaints against the pet owners. Morales also fears society may confuse this trend with animal activism, as 'therians' are not necessarily activists. Veterinarian Manuel Lázaro emphasized that animals and humans have different needs as they are different species. He believes attempts to 'humanize' animals by dressing them or walking them in strollers prevent them from expressing natural behavior and could be considered mistreatment. Blending human and animal identity could open the door to mistreatment without proper awareness campaigns.
