That has got to be how this got so intertwined with religion. Unfortunately, what these people fail to realize is that we were created animals. Super intelligent animals with conscious thought, but animals. Most say that were above the animals, and that is true- when it comes to intelligence. But as for as the body goes, we are very much the same as any other mammal.
Animals breathe, eat, drink, defecate, sleep, procreate, live, and die just like humans do.
We and they feel pain, and pleasure, and seek the latter. It is a part of a natural and ingenious design. You deny it, you deny Gods own handiwork. And if you believe that he doesn't agree, he would not have allowed the Song of Solomon into his holy book. Oh yeah, good old wholesome erotic poetry.