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A nation of animal lovers
Aims and objectives
This activity introduces the concept of cruelty to animals and whether it is deliberate or based on neglect.

Curriculum objectives
Children should learn:
  • about the responsibilities humans have towards animals.
  • to know about the role of a national animal welfare organisation.
Expectations
At the end of this session:
  • most children: understand the role of voluntary organisations/charities. They know that we all have a responsibility towards animals, and that there are laws to protect them. They recognise that different pets have different needs, and that not everyone makes a suitable pet owner. They appreciate that there are a large number of animal welfare issues, and understand one in some depth. They contribute ideas and opinions to class discussions.
  • some children have not made so much progress and: understand the role of voluntary organisations/charities. They know that we all have a responsibility towards animals, and that there are laws to protect them. They recognise that different pets have different needs, and that not everyone makes a suitable pet owner. They appreciate that there are a large number of animal welfare issues.
  • some children have progressed further and: understand the role of voluntary organisations/charities and why we need them. They investigate a chosen voluntary/charitable organisation, and are aware of the breadth of its work. They know that we all have a responsibility towards animals, and that there are laws to protect them. They understand the need for such laws. They recognise that different pets have different needs, and that not everyone makes a suitable pet owner. They appreciate that there are a large number of animal welfare issues, and research one in some depth, understanding its complexity. They contribute ideas and opinions to class discussions.
Starter activity
Types of cruelty
Ask the pupils to think about cruelty to animals. What types of things do they think are cruel? Pupils often focus on deliberate cruelty - hitting and beating. Once they have been given a range of examples, ask them to think about the difference between:
  • neglect - failing to look after an animal properly
  • deliberate cruelty - intending to do something that hurts an animal.
Do the pupils think one type of cruelty is worse than the other? Some pupils may feel that malice - deliberately wanting to hurt something - is worse than neglect. However, ask the pupils to think from an animal's point of view. Both neglect and deliberate cruelty make animals suffer.

Learning styles: intrapersonal, interpersonal, linguistic.

Main activity
Neglect or deliberate
Use the Factsheet Animals in need (click on hyperlink in Photocopiables section - see right) as a focus. The case studies are based on real cases prosecuted by the RSPCA. One involves deliberate cruelty and the other involves neglect.

  • Ask the groups of pupils to read through the worksheet. Each group could appoint a reader and leader.
  • Ask the pupils to discuss each case study in turn and decide whether they think it is deliberate cruelty or neglect.
Learning styles: interpersonal, linguistic.

Plenary activity
Helping animals
Having read and thought about the case studies - what would the pupils most like to change about the way some people treat animals? How would they like to help animals?

Learning styles: interpersonal, linguistic, musical, visual/spatial.

Vocabulary
cruelty deliberate neglect
Essential information
Citizenship
Key Stage 2 Year 4 5 6
Units 3 Animals and us
Topics Pets
What you need:
  • Factsheet: Animals in need (click on hyperlink in Photocopiables section - see below)
  • For additional background information on pet care, reporting cruelty to animals and news about animals see Useful websites (below)
Pets photo pack
Click on the thumbnail to see the 10 images and download them here



 Click to View Images
Curriculum links:
CITIZENSHIP
3 Animals and us
Section 4: Taking responsibility - what can we do?
Extension activities:
Work through the Pets flipcharts on the Promethean Planet website (see Useful websites section).
Useful websites:
Pets flipcharts - Promethean Planet
www.prometheanplanet.com/rspca
RSPCA - pet care information
www.rspca.org.uk/petcare
RSPCA Careers
www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=RSPCA
/Careers/CareersHomepage&articleid
RSPCA News
www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/News/NewsFeature
Photocopiables:
Animals in need
Did you know?
The law defines cruelty against animals as unnecessary suffering. If an animal isn't looked after properly or is deliberately hurt, the owner can be prosecuted for cruelty against animals.

People who are convicted of cruelty against animals can be:
  • banned from owning an animal
  • sent to prison for up to six months
  • made to pay a fine of up to £5,000.
Most of the cases seen by RSPCA inspectors are neglect caused by people who do not know how to look after animals properly. People don't understand how much time, effort and money are needed to care for their pets properly. Sadly, some people are also deliberately cruel to animals.

  • Every 20 seconds someone somewhere in England and Wales calls the RSPCA for help.
  • In 2000 inspectors investigated 126,746 animal cruelty complaints.
  • The RSPCA successfully prosecuted 2,473 cases of cruelty against animals in 2000.

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