WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, April 19, 2022 — Building a better world for both people and animals begins with teaching our children the meaning of kindness. We can best do this by example and by providing them with free, compelling humane education materials. And what better time to start than during American Humane’s 107th annual “Be Kind to Animals Week®”, which is the oldest commemorative week in U.S. history and takes place in 2022 from May 1-7. American Humane is asking everyone to take an online pledge to do four simple things to improve the world for animals and is making a variety of free humane education materials available online to parents, teachers and children in both English and Spanish. Free downloadable materials include lessons and teaching sheets for pre-K to Grade 5 students, “Be Kind to Animals” posters, and ideas to celebrate and protect Earth’s creatures. These are all available at www.americanhumane.org/BeKind.
To lead by example and make a difference in the lives of millions of animals, American Humane is asking animal lovers of all ages to pledge to make kindness a year-round lifestyle choice by doing four simple things:
- Buying humanely raised foods with the American Humane Certified™ seal to support the good treatment of farm animals;
- Adopting from a shelter/rescue, and when choosing small, “nontraditional” animal companions (such as reptiles, small mammals, fish, and amphibians), finding them at an American Humane Certified™ pet provider;
- Choosing movies and television shows that have earned the “No Animals Were Harmed®” end credit verifying the protection of animal actors;
- Visiting American Humane Certified™ zoos, aquariums and conservation centers caring for the many endangered and disappearing species of the world.
American Humane will also share humane messages throughout the week and encourage people to commit to kindness by sharing Be Kind to Animals Week® content using the hashtag #BeKindToAnimalsWeek. For a wealth of ideas, and to show us how you are being kind to animals, follow American Humane on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
In addition, teachers and children can find a historical retrospective featuring history, highlights and unusual facts from 107 years of “Be Kind to Animals Week,” as well as a sampling of famous supporters from U.S. Presidents to Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, Betty White, Doris Day and even Porky Pig.
“I hope every American will join us in celebrating ‘Be Kind to Animals Week’ and making a difference for all the creatures of the Earth,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “By teaching our children the value of our animal friends and adopting a humane lifestyle, we can build a better world – not just during these few days, but all year round.”
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. Today, this four-star nonprofit saves, shelters, feeds and protects nearly one billion animals worldwide each year. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
