On every continent and in every culture, dogs and cats continue to be subject to cruel and inhumane treatment.
There is a growing body of research which has shown that violence against animals is connected to violence against people. Numerous studies have shown that integrating humane education into the classroom can lead to a reduction in violence and bullying, enhancing the students’ moral development while instilling a sense of responsibility for both animals and people.
To help address the root causes of animal cruelty, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org) is launching a new global educational program, Cats, Dogs and Us which introduces students ages 5-14 around the world to the many different ways that people live with cats and dogs and helps develop knowledge, skills, and empathy and respect.
“IFAW’s education programs don’t just benefit animals. They are good for people and communities too,” said IFAW President and CEO Azzedine Downes.
Cats, Dogs and Us is the newest addition to IFAW’s library of educational resources on a wide range of animal welfare and conservation themes. All the resources are aligned with local, regional and national curricula in literacy, language arts, science, social studies, citizenship and other core subject areas taught in schools worldwide.