Are there any societies which afforded all animals, or select species, special status? What were the benefits of such special status?
Jain monks afford all living beings the right to life through non-violence. They go as far as wearing face masks so to not breath in micro-organisms and carry brooms to sweep the ground beneath their feet so to not step on bugs/insects or other small living beings. Interestingly enough, they consider bad thoughts, mean speech, and lying to also be forms of violence.
Pravin Shah, Five Great Vows (Maha-vratas) of Jainism Jainism Literature Center, Harvard University Archives (2009)