Educating about respect for animals

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has a new website that offers parents and teachers an invaluable one-stop welfare resource for educating children about respect and compassion for animals and their needs.

This website, www.animal-education.org is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and provides the full content of WSPA's First Concepts in Animal Welfare (FCAW) programme – dedicated to promoting animal welfare education for children worldwide, aged 5-16. The content forms part of the existing Animal Welfare Online site and also acts as a resource bank for other individuals and organisations involved in animal welfare and humane education.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has an educational website, World of Animal Welfare, http://www.woaw.org.au/ with material for age groups from under 8’s to teens. It includes basic information about caring for pets and wild animals, news stories and animal welfare campaigns that children can support.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) @ http://www.peta.org/ has a special website designed for young people: http://www.peta2.com with games, blogs and connections via Facebook and Twitter.

Animals Australia markets a children’s ‘chick pack’ containing a Corrie the Chook book by Valerie den Ouden, baby chick plush toy and adoption certificate and an ‘I love animals’ badge. This fantastic children's book has lovely illustrations and tells the story of Corrie the chook who escapes a cage egg factory farm and then finds a happy new home. The inspiring story shows children that hens have feelings and desires to be free just like us. Visit the on-line shop on their website: https://animalsaustralia.org