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Consent is very important to zoophiles – they get pleasure from giving pleasure to the animals that they are with.

Different species have various vocalizations as well as body language, and with these forms of communication they either deliver or withhold consent. Zoos are sure to make sure they get their animal’s explicit consent each step of the way, and doing otherwise can prove hazardous. Many animals such as medium or large dogs (not to mention ungulates, which weigh much more) are all certainly capable of delivering a firm ‘no’ that will leave the person with no doubt in their mind whether the animal wants sexual contact or not.

Signs of consent include solicitous behaviors such as pawing at the person, rubbing their face or other body parts against them, humping in males (and occasionally females) as well as females standing and flagging.

Signs of non-consent include bared teeth, pinned ears, fur standing on end, as well as hissing, growling, and other angry vocalizations. Freezing in place and widening of the eyes are signs of dubious consent and if the animal’s behavior does not quickly change toward positive, it is a sign that one must stop attempting to stimulate the animal.