There are over 200 verses in the Qur'an about animals and some beautiful hadiths about them as well and I just wanted to share a few of my favorites. I am a huge animal lover (most of the time I prefer animals over my own species
) so these verses have always been held dear in my heart. I know I am probably one of the only Muslims here but I hope all of us can find value in these verses 
They are pretty universal after all."Whoever is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself." -Muhammad (saws)
"The Prophet said, 'While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well, and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, `This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine.' So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.'' The people asked ``O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?'' He replied: ``Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being).'' (Narrated by Abu Huraira -- Volume 3, Book 40, Number 551)
Allah's Apostle said, "A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger." Allah's Apostle further said, "(Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), 'You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the insects of the earth.' " -Bukhari
Coolest one: For all of us who swear that our dogs can sense the spirits of unknown: "The Prophet said: When you hear the barking of dogs and the braying of asses at night, seek refuge in Allah, for they see which you do not see. "- Abu Dawud
"Be like a bee; anything he heats is clean, anything he drops is sweet and any branch he sits upon does not break." -Imam Ali
"There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like you…". (Qur'an 6:38)
"Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises are celebrated by all beings in the heavens and on earth, and by the birds with extended wings? Each one knows its prayer and psalm, And Allah is aware of what they do." (Qur'an 24:41).
