Guest post by Michelle Carr from PETA
Kids have the desire and the power to create an animal-friendly world. However, the mistreatment of animals, from factory farms to the circus, makes it challenging for them to understand the importance of compassion. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has an entire website dedicated to kids, and it's packed full of animal-friendly games, contests, and ways to help animals. You can also sign up for the PETA Kids E-News so that we can send you tips and suggestions on how to incorporate activism into your child's everyday life.
Kids naturally don't want to see animals get hurt, but how can kids get active for animals? The best way to help animals is simply to stop eating them! From chicken-free nuggets to soy grilled cheese, there are so many vegan options out there that kids will never miss eating animals! Need some more ideas? There are a ton of resources for cruelty-free eating that you can find here. Yum!
A FEW IDEAS FOR GETTING KIDS INVOLVED IN HELPING ANIMALS:
1) If you live with an animal companion, take your dog out for a long walk with your child and show him or her how to respect Fido by giving him the care and attention that he deserves.
2) Passing out leaflets also helps animals. You can make your own or order some from PETA.
3) Set up an information table outside your local mall or library with your child, and hand out leaflets about cruelty to animals. This fun activity will provide you with the opportunity to bond with your child while standing up for an important cause!
4) Join a local protest against the circus or some other animal issue that kids are interested in.
Are you or anyone you know an educator? PETA has a humane-education division, TeachKind, which is a great resource for teachers, administrators, and librarians who want to help teach children respect for all animals. TeachKind offers free lesson plans as well as free materials such as books, DVDs, posters, coloring pages, stickers to K-12 and college educators that will help put empathy and compassion for animals in the classroom.
Teaching children respect for all animals will create a kinder world, and with these two great resources, PETA Kids and TeachKind, you can help animals live happy lives.
If you are a parent or educator, please visit our website and order materials so we can help you get your kids involved in helping animals!
Michelle Carr is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelors degree in Sociology/Social Psychology. Michelle currently works for PETA and is the founder of No Animals Harmed (http://noanimalsharmed.com/), a blog dedicated to compassionate living. Michelle resides in Los Angeles, with her rescued companion dog, Callie.