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Report crueltyHow I grew to love all kinds of animals
Blog by Lucy Gavaghan
Beyond being taught punctuation and algebra, for many children, school is where core values and morals are learnt and developed.
From a young age, children are consistently told how they should treat each other: with care, kindness and compassion. We see these lessons as vitally important in creating the basic mindset that we do not harm other people.
In the eyes of myself and an ever increasing number of others, all children should be taught this same lesson of kindness regarding animals as well!
A lifetime of kindness to animals
I'm seventeen now, but ever since I was much younger I've always looked after animals - whether it's been rabbits and gerbils or any one of our various unexpected rescues!
Naturally, I grew to love all kinds of animals and started developing a real passion for welfare. I was always spreading the message that people should show compassion to animals and help to prevent cruelty.
My mum and sister, Beth, have both always shared my interests and massively supported everything I do. Growing up with so many beautiful animals and with people who are constantly conscious of doing all they can to care for them and any other creatures in need hugely shaped who I am today.
Why Animal Kindness should form part of education
Animal kindness is an incredibly important matter that really shouldn't be overlooked by the education system.
It breaks my heart to know that so many animals are being treated with such cruelty at the hands of the people who are supposed to be caring for them.
This is why it would be so valuable to implement early education surrounding the prevention of neglect and cruelty to animals.
Although many children live with well-loved animal companions of their own, many grow up without this direct contact. Subsequently, they may not understand or appreciate the needs and freedoms of animals. This is where education needs to step in to ensure that every child is made aware of how to treat animals and how to identify cases of potential cruelty.
Having compassion could not be more valuable to society, and more must be done to secure the wellbeing and safety of animals now and in the future. In so many ways, education could be the key to this. Imagine if every child was given the opportunity to learn exactly how animals deserve to be treated¿it might sound simple but the impact would be incredible!
Help shape a kinder generation
The RSPCA have recently launched a new programme of work - Generation Kind - a set of ambitious, innovative projects focussed on children and young people, with the aim of fostering empathy and responsibility towards all animals within the consumers, politicians and decision-makers of tomorrow.
