It's an interesting idea. If they always were intelligent, then yes, they'd probably have their own nation, or maybe they'd even be integrated with us in a society that accommodates for both of our form factors, but I'm sure there'd be terrible racism concerns because if we're this bad to people who look relatively similar to each other, then we'd be just terrible to a very different intelligent race.

But, if they suddenly became sentient through some sci Fi artifact or event, that'd be a whole other thing, and the process and debate of giving them rights and what to do about it would be complex and an ethical minefield on what to do or don't do. Probably planet of the apes. But with cats and dogs.

I mostly agree with the comment, however, mammals are sentient. Our current laws are massively influenced by us not really understanding them and by ideas such as non-humans essentially being "living machines", created as servants to humanity.

They are already sentient but have not the intelligence of a average developed human. Pigs for example are sentient but their intelligence is like that of a 3 year old human.

So those who remain in their country of origin, during the first waves of this development, would surely have to be given he right to vote etc?