The only difference between the animals and humans is the consciousness. All other things like eating, sleeping, mating, resting, and earning a living are common to both the animals and the humans.
All animals mind their own business, and only live for their own benefit. They have no consideration for the wellbeing of others. Most human beings also mind their own business, only live for their own benefit. They have no consideration for the wellbeing of others. But the animals are a little better than the humans, because they don’t steal land belonging to humans, but the humans steal land belonging to the animals.
Based on the Vedic scriptures, only those who work for the benefit of all living beings are qualified to go to the spiritual manifestation. All others will stay in the material manifestation.
Going to temples, fasting, being a vegetarian, reading the scriptures, and reciting mantras does not make one qualified to enter the spiritual manifestation. One must behave properly with others (truthfulness, kindness etc..) and do something for the benefit of all living beings. One must never become self-centered but become a center for everyone’s wellbeing.
“The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 4.12.36)
“A saintly person should learn from the mountain to devote all his efforts to the service of others and to make the welfare of others the sole reason for his existence. Similarly, as the disciple of the tree, he should learn to dedicate himself to others.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 11.7.38)
“It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 10.22.35)
““One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhārata-varṣa] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 9.41)
“By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 9.43)
“Those who are beyond the dualities that arise from doubts, whose minds are engaged within, who are always busy working for the welfare of all living beings and who are free from all sins achieve liberation in the Supreme.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 5.25)
“This body, which is eatable by jackals and dogs after death, does not actually do any good for me, the spirit soul. It is usable only for a short time and may perish at any moment. The body and its possessions, its riches and relatives, must all be engaged for the benefit of others, or else they will be sources of tribulation and misery.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 6.10.10)
“O Stoka Kṛṣṇa and Aṁśu, O Śrīdāma, Subala and Arjuna, O Viśāla, Vṛṣabha, Ojasvī, Devaprastha and Varūthapa, just see these greatly fortunate trees, whose lives are completely dedicated to the benefit of others. Even while tolerating the wind, rain, heat and snow, they protect us from these elements.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 10.22.31-32)