That's downright mean. My Machamp was attempted towards a flush because asshole sisters; caught in time enough to preserve it for the game but no way would anyone ever buy it.
Trees actually do have empathy. It's very subtle but if you know their chemical releases for attack you also know when they stop. When they stop before absolute destruction and poisoning of pests; trees are showing empathy.
I can't tell for all pets but I know my cat became awfully sad and completely stopped eating the first time we were on vacation when she was little and we had to come back (and dropped the idea of vacations). A lot of them would be sad without their humans.
Resurrect Harambe ofc
All trees now have empathy