Today marks the International Animal Rights Day. A date to claim, through educational and informative actions, the right of all species to live without suffering and to be respected by people.
As a species, humans constantly violate these rights. Our consumption habits and lifestyle make animals are considered as mere resources at our disposal. Therefore, it is important that, from a very young age, educate your children in love and respect for animals, making them understand that as living beings that they are, they deserve a dignified life.
Home education is the key for our children to become adults aware of animal welfare and ethical consumption. So today, I bring you some guidelines and ideas so that your children understand Animal Rights.
Preach by example
Our children are our mirror, so it is essential that at home they see that animals are respected and kept zero tolerance towards their mistreatment. If you are afraid of an animal, try not to show it in front of your children. In this way they will not see it as something bad or negative that must be eliminated.
Teach them that we too are part of the animal kingdom
Explain to your children that both we and other species are animals and that we all have the same right to a dignified life without suffering. We are all living beings and as such, our lives are valuable and worthy of respect.
Explain to them what the rights of animals are
Read with your children the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights y discuss it as a family. Let your children express their doubts about it and try to solve them from the love of animals. Give them everyday examples and let them reflect on whether these rights are being fulfilled.
Encourage empathy
Make your children understand that animals, like them, are born to a mother, they need care, food and protection. Invite them to reflect on how they would feel if someone hit, abused or abandoned them. You can ask them questions such as: How do you feel when someone hurts you? Do you like to go hungry? How do you think an abused animal feels? Would you like to live in a cage?
Allow your children to interact with animals
The best way to know and understand animal rights is to experience it firsthand. Having a pet at home is a great way for you to children get to know firsthand what an animal is like and its needs. However, adopting a pet should be a thoughtful and consensual decision as a family as it implies the acquisition of certain responsibilities throughout the animal's life.
Not all families want or can have a pet, however, there are many other options for your children to interact with animals.
Collaborate with a Protective or Animal Shelter
Visiting or collaborating with a protector is a way to educate your children about the real consequences of the violation of animal rights. The experience is not always pleasant and you have to take into account the age of the child, but it will help your children see how there are animals that do not enjoy freedom or things as basic as preserving their physical integrity, having a bed to sleep in or enjoying of a daily walk.
Visit a farm, school or ecological reserve
Today there are many offers of workshops, camps or one-day visits in farms, schools or nature reserves. In them your children will be able see how animals live «in situ«, What uses are given to them and if the treatment they are receiving is adequate.
Talk to your children about animal exploitation
It may be difficult for your children to understand that animals have rights but that they are used for food or other resources. In this sense, you can explain to them that in nature there are trophic chains that allow maintaining the natural balance. It is important that your children understand that, although some animals serve to feed us or provide us with other help, We must always be grateful for the resource they provide us and treat them in such a way that their suffering is minimal.
Books and movies with animals
Stories that include animals and that even humanize them are a very effective way for your children to see them as beings closer to us. Through movies or stories, your children learn that animals feel and suffer like us, therefore it will be much easier for them to understand that their rights must be respected.