Eva Meijer: 'Of course animals speak. The thing is we don't listen'

The Dutch philosopher and artist believes we should change our relationship to animals. This involves recognising that they talk to us - and granting them proper rights

Fagan the horse is enormous, nervy and then, suddenly, inexplicably calm when Eva Meijer strokes his neck and whispers in his twitching ears. Meijer, a Dutch philosopher, novelist, visual artist and singer-songwriter, is visiting the splendidly acronymed Faith (For Animals In Trouble, there's Hope) animal rescue centre in Norfolk.

Our photographer is hoping to obtain a portrait of Meijer talking to the animals, Dr Dolittle-style, for this interview about Animal Languages, her fascinating, accessible new book about how animals communicate, and what this means for their place on a human-dominated planet.