Kind Education Autumn & Winter 2015

Kind Education - 1 - Autumn / Winter 2015

Autumn & Winter

2015

Kind EducationOfficial Magazine of ThinkKind Inc.

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Take a look at both sides of an important Australian

debate

The Great

Kangaroo Debate

For the love of hounds:

Meet the people saving the lives of greyhounds

The secret life of cats:

Do you know what it takes to be a

responsible cat owner?

Regulars: Animal news,

lunchbox recipes, reviews and more!

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Can’t decide? Well, luckily we’ve got you covered either way in this issue of Kind Education!

First of all, we know there’s been a lot of talk in the news and on the television about greyhound racing this year. You might have even seen or read about some upsetting stories in the media about live baiting in greyhound racing. Thanks to everyone who sent us emails about this very important issue. It’s normal to feel angry, shocked and confused about animal cruelty – we feel the same way. It’s always helpful to talk about your feelings with your parents, relatives, teachers or close friends. And it’s always important to remember to never lose hope – good things happen in the world every single day because of people like you who care.

In this issue, you will read an inspiring story about Greyhound Rescue, and see how caring people can work together to help animals who have been abused, neglected and abandoned.

We also look at other issues from cats to kangaroos, news stories from around the world, and things that will make you think about current animal issues in new and interesting ways.

As always, we hope you enjoy!

With kindness,Valerie

DISCLAIMER: ThinkKind Inc. is a registered Australian charity. We are a volunteer-based organisation and rely on the generous support of our members, supporters and contributors. Please note that the views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of our organisation or of our sponsors, nor do they or we guarantee the accuracy, completeness or legality of the material provided, despite our greatest efforts. Every effort has been made to ensure that no copyright breaches have occurred. For enquiries please contact [email protected]. Publication design by NXL Design. PRINTED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER

Be Kind to Animals WeekFind out how your school can take part and be kinder to ALL animals

Easy recipes – Lunchbox specialDelicious and easy to make recipes for school lunches. Plus, can you take on the Vegan Recipe Challenge?

ReviewsWe look at the best books, movies and apps for people who care about animals.

The case for saving SkippyTake a look at the great kangaroo debate happening in Australia, and find out the arguments for both sides.

The secret life of catsCats are great pets, but did you also know they can be a threat to many native animals? Find out how to be a responsible cat owner.

For the love of houndsLearn about greyhounds and the problems surrounding the greyhound racing industry.

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Message from the Editor

- WITH THANKS TO -


- Animal News -

SUBMIT YOUR

LETTER

Do you think live animal

circuses should be banned in

Australia? Tell us your thoughts

in 150 words or less for your

chance to be published in the

next issue of Kind Education.

Write to [email protected]

and don’t forget to leave

your name and age!

LIVE ANIMAL CIRCUSES GETTING THE BOOT? A proposal to ban circuses with live animals in Adelaide has been rejected by the City Council. The ban would have stopped circuses from using animals such as lions and monkeys on Adelaide parklands from as early as next year. The RSPCA raised concerns about animals being kept in small enclosures for long periods of time. Councillor Robert Simms, who has been campaigning for the ban, said he would continue to push for one to be put in place. Simms said, "I think community attitudes have changed […] it is the right thing to do and I intend to keep campaigning to ensure we get the right outcome."

ACT have already banned live animals circuses, as well as 30 countries and 40 local councils in Australia.

TRAWLER GOES BACK TO PORT AFTER KILLING DOLPHINS IN NETA fishing trawler called the Geelong Star returned to port after killing dolphins in its nets for the second time. The trawler was fishing off south-eastern Australia when it killed four dolphins in one haul. It also killed two seals while it fished offshore for jack mackerel and redbait. The Australian Marine Conservation Society's campaigner Tooni Mahto said the killing of dolphins by fishing boats was unacceptable to the Australian public. "It's absolutely clear the vessel cannot fish without killing dolphins, so therefore the vessel should not fish," Ms Mahto said.

Trawlers are large nets used to catch fish. Many animals often get caught in trawlers and die, including seals, turtles and dolphins. These animals are referred to as bycatch.

REMEMBERING THE WAR ANIMALSWe’ve heard a lot about the Aussie soldiers who lost their lives fighting in Gallipoli. But did you know that animals were also used in war? The Dickin Medal is given to animals who were used in war, and is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. Dogs were used to sniff out explosives, find injured soldiers, and use their hearing skills to warn troops when the enemy was approaching. Horses were used to carry big packs of food and ammunition. Tens of thousands of carrier pigeons were used to travel long distances and deliver messages to the troops. There was even a cat called Simon, who was given a medal for killing a colony of rats who were eating vital food supplies on a ship that had been attacked, helping to keep the surviving crew members alive.

HELPING ANIMALS IN NEPALNatural disasters affect both humans and animals. The devastating earthquake in Nepal this year sadly killed thousands of people and animals. Many animals have sustained injuries from being trapped in collapsed buildings or hit by falling debris.

Last week, a team of experts from the Humane Society International (HSI), along with other veterinarians, arrived in Kathmandu to provide help to hundreds of thousands of animals affected by the earthquake. Adam Parascandola, director of animal protection and crisis response with HSI, said that within Kathmandu, they are focusing on helping pets who were left behind or who are with families who are having trouble keeping them. Outside of urban areas, workers are helping livestock, who are at risk of suffering respiratory problems and hoof disease as a result of contaminated water supplies and loss of barns.

TORTOISE GETS A NEW SET OF WHEELS Mrs T, a nonagenarian tortoise, has been given a new set of wheels to help her move around after being attacked by a rat. Mrs T’s two front legs were chewed off while hibernating, so her loving owners thought of a clever way to help her by attaching a pair of wheels to the front of her shell. Judy Ryder, Mrs T’s owner, said that Mrs T took to her new wheels straight away. "She can get a good speed up, much faster than before. Mrs T is still quite young for a tortoise. She could go on for another 50 years - all she needs is a new set of tyres every now and again," says Ms Ryder.

NATIONAL

WORLD

Image courtesy of Humane Society International

Image courtesy of The Telegraph, London

Simon the cat was given a Dickin Medal for killing a colony of rats. (Image courtesy of The Mirror)

Image courtesy of Greenpeace

WORLD

NATIONAL FLASH BACK


THE PEOPLE WORKING TO GIVE GREYHOUNDS A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE

If you’ve ever seen dogs or horses racing on the television, you’ve probably noticed a lot of glitz and glamour. But have you ever wondered what those animals’

lives might be like off the race track?Every year in Australia, around

20,000 greyhound puppies are born to become racing dogs. That’s over 50 puppies born every single day. But not every one of them will become fast enough to win in competitions.

Animals Australia estimates that 18,000 healthy dogs are killed in the greyhound industry each year. Some of them never make it to the race track at all, while others are ‘retired’ from racing when they become too slow to compete.

It’s difficult but important to think about why such a large number of healthy animals are killed when they become worthless to their owners. Should this be against the law? Is it right to treat animals like objects? What are some problems that can arise when animals are used to make profit?

SOME FACTS ABOUT GREYHOUNDSGreyhounds are naturally gentle and affectionate animals. They love being around humans, and are sometimes even known as ‘velcro dogs’, meaning they often like to follow their owners around everywhere.

It may be surprising to know that greyhounds don’t need a

lot of exercise and are often recommended for people who live in apartments. They also love to run – but there’s a big difference between running for fun and racing to compete.

A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE Rescue groups and adoption programs exist across Australia to find loving homes for unwanted greyhounds. These groups are often made up of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to save the lives of hundreds of dogs.

Greyhound Rescue is based in Sydney and is run by Janet and Peter, a retired couple, and a team of volunteers. The project was set up in 2009 to find homes for unwanted greyhounds from the racing industry. Since then, Greyhound Rescue has saved the lives of over 600 greyhounds, placing them into safe and caring homes.

For many years, people have been racing greyhounds for entertainment and to make big profits. But what happens to these gentle and affectionate animals when they are no longer fast enough to compete? For the lucky few, they find people like Greyhound Rescue.

For the Love of

Hounds


LIVE BAITINGSadly, it’s not only greyhounds who suffer in the greyhound racing industry. In February 2015, the Four Corners television program revealed that live animal baiting was used widely in the industry. This involves using live rabbits, possums and piglets to train greyhounds to run faster. Although the practice is cruel and against the law, Four Corners found that many prominent figures in the industry were training their dogs using live animals.

SHOULD GREYHOUND RACING BE BANNED? Since Four Corners exposed widespread animal cruelty in the racing industry, there have been calls to put a ban on greyhound racing altogether. Animal welfare groups oppose industries that exploit and treat animals as disposable objects. There are also public concerns over the high

number of greyhounds who are killed, injured and mistreated in the racing industry.

HOW YOU CAN HELP GREYHOUNDSBy telling your friends and family about greyhound racing, you can encourage them to avoid betting on races. You can also help greyhound rescue groups by volunteering, raising money, donating goods (e.g. pet food, blankets) or choosing to adopt or foster a greyhound in need of a home.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS 1. What is the difference between

running and racing? 2. If the Four Corners program

had not revealed the widespread use of live baiting in the greyhound racing industry, most Australians would never have known it was going on. How can animal industries such as circuses,

zoos, and farms ensure greater transparency for the public in the future?

3. How can the greyhound racing industry reduce the number of greyhounds killed each year?

4. What are the main problems that can arise when an industry uses animals for profit? Think of two other examples.

5. What can people do to save greyhounds from being abused, neglected and killed?

To read more heart-warming rescue stories visit www.greyhoundrescue.com.au. To find a list of greyhound

rescue groups in your state visit www.animalsaustralia.org/features/guide-foster-adopt-greyhound.php.

Milly was only 12 weeks old when she was rescued. She had a few toes missing and nobody knew why, but she was a happy, cuddly and friendly young puppy. Greyhound Rescue rushed her to the vet and later learned that Milly needed an operation to

amputate her paw. Members of the public raised money to help give Milly her much needed operation as well as a new prosthetic leg. Now Milly is living happily in a safe and loving home.

Photo credit: Ed Dieppe

WORDS TO KNOW:

transparency: the state of being free of deceit, easily understood or seen through.

disposable: intended to be discarded after use.


The Case for Saving Skippy

Every night in outback Australia, thousands of kangaroos are shot for their meat and skins in what is called ‘the largest commercial slaughter of land-based wildlife on the planet’. However, supporters of kangaroo meat ‘harvesting’ say that kangaroo populations need to be controlled.

Note: There is also a separate movement to ‘cull’ kangaroos because they are considered damaging pests by different sectors in Australia.

When it comes to our national icon, we are a nation divided.

It is estimated that almost 90 million kangaroos and wallabies have already been lawfully killed or ‘harvested’ for commercial

purposes in the last 20 years. Kangaroos are killed for their meat and skin, and many people accept this because kangaroos are considered ‘pests’.

A pest is an animal who causes problems for humans, especially by eating crops, food and livestock. Like introduced species, native

animals like kangaroos have been classified by governments and farmers as pests because they conflict with human interests.

Special thanks to Maria Taylor and

Ray Mjadwesch

Here is a brief overview of the kangaroo debate and some of the main arguments for and against saving wild kangaroos.


Many graziers argue that kangaroos eat valuable crops and compete with farm animals for grass. In recent months, western Queensland graziers who were suffering from severe drought said that kangaroos were quickly eating any feed left on the ground for their livestock.

Kangaroos graze on grassy vegetation, and in some places are accused of leaving less food or shelter for other native animals. Some researchers have said that culling kangaroos is necessary to protect other native species who rely on the grasslands.

Supporters of the kangaroo meat industry argue that harvesting kangaroo meat will employ more people in regional Australia, creating more jobs and helping families earn an income.

Some people believe that kangaroos would still be hunted in the wild without licences by farmers and recreational hunters. There is already evidence that the unlawful shooting of kangaroos is happening. Some people argue that it would be much safer if kangaroo hunting remains regulated, so that kangaroo populations don’t get too low.

Supporters of the kangaroo meat industry and culling argue that many kangaroos die slow deaths from drought in some parts of Australia such as central-west Queensland. Many people argue that shooting kangaroos is usually a more humane alternative to letting them die from drought-related starvation.

Kangaroo-related road accidents can cause serious injuries and significant damage to traveling vehicles. Some supporters of kangaroo culling argue that culling kangaroos will reduce the number of kangaroo-related road accidents.

Supporters of kangaroo meat harvesting believe that because of its low fat content, kangaroo meat is a healthier option than some other meats.

Many people believe that native animals should be appreciated and protected. Australians and international tourists often feel sentimental about kangaroos because they are recognised all around the world as the national icon for Australia.

Opponents of kangaroo culling and harvesting are concerned that there is not enough science to support the claim that kangaroo populations are at pest proportions. Many researchers have even found evidence that the opposite is true. Kangaroos are slow-growing animals who reproduce slowly. Females are only able to have one joey per year and many juveniles die before they’re old enough to reproduce, mostly due to drought and sometimes due to predators like foxes. Opponents are also concerned about the lack of studies looking into the benefits that kangaroos provide to the ecology, such as native seed dispersal and recycling nutrients.

Opponents argue that the kangaroo population could get dangerously low, risking the survival of the species. Government data shows that nationwide kangaroo numbers have dropped a massive 75% since 2003, coinciding with drought and continued commercial harvesting.

Shooters are required to make a ‘clean’ headshot when killing kangaroos, but because this is mostly done at night and there are no clear safeguards to ensure that this happens, shooters sometimes miss and leave kangaroos to die slowly from their injuries. Animal welfare activists are also concerned that shooters sometimes kill female kangaroos who are carrying joeys. These pouch joeys and older or ‘at foot’ joeys are either killed by the shooters or escape. The joeys who escape are likely to die as a result of starvation, exposure or predation without their mother.

Many people, including scientists and animal welfare activists, argue that fertility control would be a more humane way of managing kangaroo numbers if necessary, and that this should be considered before culling continues in places like Canberra. Moving kangaroos or ‘translocation’ is another non-lethal method if necessary and if the animals are in hemmed-in areas.

Thousands of tourists come to Australia to see native wildlife, especially kangaroos in the wild. Some people believe that the tourism industry will suffer as a result of kangaroo culling and harvesting, and that opportunities for ecotourism could be lost as kangaroos disappear from the landscape.

Animal welfare activists argue that kangaroo communities could become stressed when their families are broken up. Some evidence has shown that culling or harvesting kangaroos break up kangaroo communities, causing psychological distress and unnatural behaviour.

Opponents of kangaroo meat harvesting often point to serious health concerns with kangaroo meat such as exposure to e. coli and salmonella, which are often caused by poor methods of harvesting, transporting and storing kangaroo meat. This has resulted in some countries banning the import of kangaroo meat from Australia.

WORDS TO KNOW:

cull: to reduce the population of a wild animal by selective slaughter.

harvest: the process or period of gathering crops, or animals caught and killed for human consumption.

exposure: the state of having no protection from something harmful, such as extreme climate.

predation: the preying of one animal on others.

graziers: a person who rears or fattens cattle or sheep for market.

ecotourism: tourism directed towards natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

What do you think about Australia’s kangaroo debate? You can write to us at [email protected] to share your thoughts.


Many of us who live with cats at home know that they can be affectionate, playful and intelligent animals. But fewer of us may realise that cats can also be a threat to native wildlife. Cats are skilled and natural predators. So if you own a cat, or know somebody who does, it’s important to know how to be a responsible cat owner.

hunt and kill many native Australian species including small mammals, birds, lizards and insects.

Many local councils have imposed night curfews for cats to stop them from hunting native wildlife. Cats who live in the Mornington Peninsula Shire and Yarra Ranges Councils have a 24-hour curfew, which means they need to be kept inside at all times.

PROBLEMS FOR CATSCats who live in the wild or roam freely in suburban streets face many risks. Cats can become seriously injured or get killed by cars, and are at risk of diseases such as feline AIDS. They can

of ‘feral’ cats in Australia is impossible to calculate because of constant changes in population, availability of prey, and climate. Estimates range from 5 to 23 million, which unfortunately doesn’t give us an accurate snapshot at all.

IMPACT ON NATIVE ANIMALSEven though it’s difficult to estimate the number of native animals killed by feral cats, free-roaming cats do

THE HISTORY OF CATS IN AUSTRALIA Cats are an introduced species, which means they are not native to Australia. Cats were brought to Australia with European settlers, probably as pets at first. Later they were introduced to hunt and control rabbits and rodents.

It’s estimated that cats now live in 99% of Australia, including offshore islands. The number

The Secret Life of Cats


Adopt a cat from an animal shelter, pound or rescue group. There are thousands of healthy cats and kittens in desperate need of loving homes. Cat breeders contribute to the serious overpopulation of cats in Australia.

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT The problem of feral cats

in Australia, like most other species deemed as ‘pests’, has been caused by humans.

Desexing cats and keeping them indoors are the most effective ways to save the lives of both cats and native wildlife.

Habitat loss caused by human activity (such as clearing forests) is the biggest threat to Australian wildlife.

Cats aren’t the only animal who pose a threat to native wildlife. Others include red foxes, rabbits, goats, pigs, cane toads and rats (on small islands).

Cats are perfectly happy living inside, as long as they have access to a clean litter tray, fresh water, food, exercise, and different toys to keep them entertained. If you don’t have much space at home, you can exercise your cat by supervising their time outdoors or walking them on a harness.

Feral cat populations can increase when cat owners do

not desex them. This also leads to too many cats filling up

pounds and animal shelters.

also get into fights with other feral or roaming cats, and become seriously injured.

TRAP, NEUTER, RELEASE (TNR)Controlling the growth of feral cat populations is a big challenge in both rural and non-rural areas. Trap, neuter, release (TNR) is the most humane alternative to killing cats, and is used in other parts of the world, including Europe and the United States.

TNR is when feral cats are humanely trapped and desexed to prevent them from reproducing. Cats are then returned to the location they were found. Many animal rescue groups in Australia

carry out TNR programs with the help of local community members. Often younger and more trusting cats or kittens are placed into loving homes with people to become companion animals.

HOW TO PRACTISE RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNERSHIP By law, cats must be

microchipped and registered. This is important in case your cat ever gets lost.

Feral cats populations often increase when cat owners do not desex their cats. Cats should be desexed from as young as eight weeks of age.

Cats should be kept indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. This prevents them from hunting other animals and protects them from getting injured on the road.

You can volunteer at your local animal shelter or help by donating goods, such as cat litter and cat food. These are the people who are working hard to carry out TNR programs in or near your neighbourhood.

Talk to your friends. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. If you know a friend, neighbour or family member who owns a cat, talk to them about responsible cat ownership.


Fantastic Fruit Kebab

What you need (fruit depending on season):• 4 bamboo skewers• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice• 1 banana, peeled and cut into

4 pieces• 1/4 rockmelon or watermelon,

peeled and cut into 8 pieces • 4 strawberries (with the tops

removed)• 1 kiwifruit, cut into 4 pieces

Method:

1. Place the lemon juice into a small bowl. Add the banana and toss until all of the pieces are covered.

2. Carefully thread each piece of fruit onto your skewers.

Makes 4 pieces

- Recipes -

A healthy and nutritious lunch is very important for keeping your energy levels up throughout the day. Everybody needs energy to learn, think and play at school, so we’ve put together some great lunchbox ideas to help you stay strong and active this semester!

Easy recipes – Lunchbox special

What you need • 600 grams of canned

chickpeas, drained and rinsed (salt reduced)

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 100ml olive oil• 1 lemon, juiced • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin • 2 tablespoons of tahini paste

(easy to find in health food stores)

• 1/4 cup of water

What you need • Soft tortilla • Hummus or a healthy spread of

your choice• 1/2 carrot, shredded • 1/4 cucumber, sliced• 1/4 tomato, sliced • 2 lettuce leaves, shredded• A handful of spinach leavesTip: if the vegetables aren’t cut thin enough, it may get tricky to wrap your tortilla.

Method: (Be careful while shredding and cutting vegetables, or ask an adult to help you with this part.)

1. Spread a layer of hummus (or your favourite spread) onto the tortilla.

2. Layer the carrot, cucumber, tomato and spinach over the tortilla. Add lettuce on top.

3. Carefully roll your tortilla. Wrap in a plastic wrap to hold together until lunchtime.

Method:

1. Place the chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, lemon, cumin, and tahini paste into a food processor. Process until all of the ingredients are combined.

2. Add 1/4 cup of water to the mixture. Process again until smooth.

COMPETITION! VEGAN RECIPE CHALLENGE

Eating less meat is better for your health, the environment, and other animals. The ThinkKind team are inviting junior chefs aged between 8-14 years to create their own vegan recipe, free from meat, dairy and eggs. Three winners will be selected and published in the next issue of Kind Education. Their recipe will also feature on the ThinkKind website!

Entrants must provide a good quality photo with their recipe, along with a photo of themselves and a short three sentence bio. Good luck!

Super Hummus DipVeggie Power Wrap

DID YOU KNOW? Hummus is packed with protein and iron, which boosts your energy levels!


The Fox and the HoundTed Berman, Richard Rich, Art Stevens

The Forgotten Rabbitby Nancy Furstinger

- Kind Reviews -

This sweet and heart-warming story is about a little boy who imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from an animal shelter. It’s a normal thing for many people to wonder about, which makes this story very easy to relate to, especially for people who share their lives with a companion animal.

The boy in the story wonders if his dog had another boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly, and now he can be shown all the love he's been missing. The little boy wonders about all of these things, but then realises that maybe they don't matter. Because now, his dog is home. This is the perfect book for anyone who has rescued their beloved pet, and the illustrations are beautiful to look at too.

The Forgotten Rabbit is the story of Bella the rabbit, who makes a giant leap from neglected Easter bunny to beloved animal companion.

Many animals such as kittens, puppies and rabbits are bought as presents, only to later be forgotten. These animals usually end up in animal shelters, waiting for a new and loving home.

Bella is chosen as an Easter present, but is soon forgotten by the family’s children. Her cage is moved outside, and nobody spends any time with her. When winter comes, Bella grows weak and hungry. Then one night, a girl called Rosalita takes her out of her cage, telling her that she has a new home, one in which she will never again be forgotten.

This book has beautiful pictures and teaches important tips about caring for a rabbit. The book is also good to read aloud to a younger sibling or cousin.

We know that odd animal friendships come about all the time; giraffe and ostrich, cat and fox, rabbit and deer, cheetah and Labrador, chimpanzee and tiger … the list is almost endless!

The Fox and the Hound is a story about a very unlikely friendship between Tod the fox and Copper the hound dog. Tod becomes orphaned and is taken under the wing of wise old Big Mama Owl, who arranges for the little fox to be adopted by a kind woman. Tod meets his new neighbour Copper, and soon the two become great friends, and promise to be friends forever.

But Copper belongs to a hunter, and when Tod and Copper grow up, their friendship is put to the test.

The movie is filled with great songs and fun animal characters.

Which animals can detach their limbs to escape from a predator? Which extinct mammal do scientists think they might be able to clone and bring back to life one day? There’s a lot of weird, amazing and fascinating things to learn about the animal world, and this fun and educational app is a great place to start.

World of Animals has plenty of wild and wacky animal facts from monkeys, giraffes, and penguins, to lesser-known creatures including axolotls, sugar gliders, and wetas. Not to mention prehistoric animals and dinosaurs! It also includes hundreds of great pictures, cool videos, fun games, awesome animal sounds, facts, encyclopaedia articles, and more. Learn about your favourite animals’ habitat, size, diet and lifespan, plus learn the differences and similarities between different animal species. This app will keep you learning new and interesting facts for ages!

World of AnimalsWorld Book

“Whenever you read a good book, somewhere

in the world a door opens to

allow in more light.”

– Vera Nazarian

We review the best books,

movies and apps for people

who care about animals.

MovieApp

BookBefore You Were Mineby Maribeth Boelts, David L. Walker

Book


FUNDRAISE FOR AN ANIMAL CAUSEOrganise a day at school to raise much-needed funds for a charity that helps animals. Ask a parent or teacher to help you find a good charity, and talk about having the fundraising day during Be Kind to Animals Week. Some fun ideas include getting everyone to dress up as their favourite animal, or even having a talent show! Ask everyone to donate a gold coin that will go towards the good cause.

INVITE A HUMANE EDUCATION OFFICER TO VISIT You can ask your teacher to invite a humane education officer to speak to your class about being kind to animals! There are a few organisations who can come and visit your school, including the RSPCA, Edgar’s Mission and Animal Liberation.

Teachers and schools can register for a free Be Kind to Animals Week resource kit to take part in October and win great prizes. Register now at

www.thinkkind.org/mag.

So we all know that we should be kind to other animals 24 hours a day and seven days a week. But sometimes it’s

important to take some time to talk about new ways we can do it, and spread the message to others too!

Be Kind to Animals Week runs from 1-7 October. And, falling during the same week on 4 October is World Animal Day, where the whole world honours ALL animals, big and small.

Get Your School Ready For Be Kind to

Animals Week!

HOW YOUR SCHOOL CAN GET INVOLVED

DOWNLOAD YOUR KINDNESS CLUB KIT The Kindness Club is for young activists (ages 8-14) to get together and share ideas, do fun and meaningful activities, and spread awareness about animal protection issues in today’s world. The Kindness Club Kit includes a club guide with helpful tips and activity ideas, colourful fact sheets and a poster.

COLLECT SUPPLIES FOR A LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERThere are thousands of dogs and cats waiting for a loving family to adopt them. Your class can help them by collecting and donating goods to your local animal shelter. Contact them first to find out what kind of supplies they are looking for. They are usually in need of dog food, cat food, cat litter, toys, blankets and towels.

CELEBRATE MEATLESS MONDAYS Reducing the amount of meat we eat is better for our health, the environment, and for other animals. Meatless Mondays are a great way to remember to eat more healthy fruit, vegetables and legumes (e.g. lentils, chickpeas and beans). You can create a petition and pass it around the school to have other students sign their pledge to participate in Meatless Mondays.


Documents

Kind Education Autumn & Winter 2015