School Approach

A SCHOOL APPROACH TO EDUCATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE

School is the ideal place to raise awareness of animal welfare issues, learning to
respect and live in harmony with animals is an important part of students learning.
As students learn about the world we live in, they must also develop responsible
attitudes and a duty of respect towards all other forms of life.
The following information sheets are designed to assist the teacher and students
to explore and learn about animal welfare.
Animal welfare education is important to your school because:

• We all live and interact with animals
• Children and young people have a natural fascination with animals
• It encourages a wider awareness and respect for our environment
• It teaches the value of life
• It develops life skills such as: caring, nurturing, communicating and taking
responsibility
• It assists in the understanding of concepts such as ecosystems, habitats,
food chains and conservation.
Subjects which can be included in your school programme.

Part 1:

Students should have the opportunity to:
1. Gain knowledge and develop an understanding of the needs of animals, look at
basic needs eg. Ask students to explore their needs to survive ect.
2. Appreciate that people treat animals and their homes with kindness and
respect.

Part 2:

Students should have the opportunity to:

1. Develop a sense of responsibility for living things and recognise that people
need to treat animals with care and sensitivity, eg. Animals have feelings too,
explore feelings of fear, rejection ect.
2. Consider ways in which animals and the environment can be protected, locally
and nationally. Investigate legislation on animal welfare, transportation
regulations ect relating to animal welfare.

Part 3:
Students should have the opportunity to:
1. Develop an understanding of how human activity can affect animals and their
welfare (eg. Traffic, litter, pollution, habitat destruction).
2. Begin to understand the ethical and social dilemmas surrounding the
scientific and commercial use of animals (eg. Animal experiments, methods
of farming ect).

Part 4:
Students should have the opportunity to:
1. Discuss the ways and ethical implications of how animals are used in society.
2. Explore and examine a range of animal welfare issues from a variety of
standpoints and assess opinions.
Events
Organising a school animal welfare event can be an effective way of involving the
whole school and perhaps mums, dads and carers.
Eg:
Ask students to research a particular topic such as “Responsible Pet Ownership”
students seek information then produce their own displays and organise an event
for the school. The students host an event inviting teachers, carers and possibly
the wider community to spread the message and raise awareness on “Responsible
Pet Ownership”.

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Educate and Conserve
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