American Humane is excited to kick-off the 108th annual Be Kind to Animals Week®, which runs from April 31 to May 6. Be Kind to Animals Week®, launched by American Humane in 1915, is the longest running commemorative holiday in the United States.
During its storied history, Be Kind to Animals Week® has involved household names from Presidents to child actors. In 1922, President Harding issued an official proclamation around the holiday. In 1936, famed childhood star Shirley Temple served as the junior chair of Be Kind to Animals Week®. And even iconic Hollywood cowboy John Wayne has been involved.
It’s a tradition that you can also become a part of.
American Humane believes in building a better future for the animals who enrich our lives and planet each and every day. That’s why, during Be Kind to Animals Week®, we are asking animal advocates everywhere to take our “Kindness Pledge”—which suggests four easy ways you can protect animals.
- Purchase humanely raised foods that don the American Humane Certified™ seal to support farms that treat animals with a high standard of care;
- Adopt from a shelter/rescue, and when choosing small, “nontraditional” animal companions (such as reptiles, small mammals, fish, and amphibians), find them at an American Humane Certified™ pet provider;
- Choose to watch movies and television shows that have earned the “No Animals Were Harmed®” end credit verifying the protection of animal actors;
- Visit American Humane Certified™ zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers, which are caring for many endangered and disappearing species.
American Humane also believes educating the next generation is a key ingredient to building a better future for animals. That’s why we have developed materials that affirm the human-animal bond, as well as promote ways young Americans can contribute to animal safety.
The materials include lesson plans for students ages preschool through grade 5 that incorporate creative writing prompts, coloring pages, and math and language worksheets for parents and teachers to share with their young ones. All worksheets have been approved by Common Core Standards.There are also downloadable posters to feature in your home or classrooms.
This Be Kind to Animals Week® let’s celebrate the animals who bring us joy and love by returning the favor.
Be a voice of compassion and encourage others to join you in taking the pledge to create a better world for all of Earth’s creatures on social media, using the hashtag #BeKindToAnimalsWeek
