This question comes up alot with the idea of aliens. If they are so much more advanced than us, then would they treat us the way we treat animals? Personally, I don't think they would be as indifferent to us as we are to animals, much in the same way that we are not as indifferent to animals as they are to each other. Watch a cat with a mouse some time, and you'll see what I mean. I think it is safe to say that humans are the most compassionate species on the planet (for the most part). We can often be the most cruel as well, but it's usually serial killers, and people with real issues, who treat animals the way a cat treats a mouse.
The Rev