I love this quote by Gandhi. I think it really speaks to the essence of humans as choosing in each moment to think and act with kindness or not. When we step back and see how many choose to misdirect their self-hate and lack of self-worth onto animals, it clarifies so much in society.
 

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

 
To me, it signals that people are in pain and have no outlet so they choose to hurt animals. Hurt people, hurt people. Animals are the first step on the ladder to hurting other people. It saddens me when this happens. To me, animals symbolize patience, joy, presence, and forgiveness.