Be Kind to Animals
Join us and pledge to build a better world for animals all year long.
Take the Kindness Pledge
Take our Kindness Pledge and become part of the Compassion Movement. Our pledge features four easy things everyone can do to better protect all the creatures of the Earth.
Visit certified zoos and aquariums.
Adopt from an animal shelter or American Humane Certified Pet Provider.
Watch movies that support animal welfare on set
Buy humanely raised products.
Kind ways to celebrate
Adopt a Pet from a Shelter, Rescue or Certified Pet Provider
Adopt from your local shelter, rescue group or certified pet provider. Get tips to find the animal companion that’s right for you and to develop a bond that will last a lifetime.
Take Care of Your Pet
Pets need you to help keep them healthy and safe. Keep your animal’s vaccinations up to date. Make sure s/he’s wearing proper identification. Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly and know how to recognize if they are sick. Be a responsible pet owner.
Appreciate Wildlife
Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds and other creatures. If wildlife comes too close to home, look for ways to coexist or to protect your property humanely, check out our Dos and Don’ts.
Report Animal Abuse
Animal cruelty and abuse is not only tragic for animals, but also an indicator that other forms of abuse. If you see something that looks suspicious – don’t hesitate, let someone know. Read our tips on reporting animal abuse.
Mini Posters to Spread the Word
Print these full-color posters to display or share them onscreen. For on-screen use in Adobe Acrobat, hover over the animals or kids to get more information!
Teaching the Future
Building a better world for animals starts with teaching our children the value of kindness. To help, we created a series of teaching sheets for parents, teachers, and other adults involved with young people. Each grade level covers four areas relating to the Humane Pledge and supports Common Core Standards. Please click on the appropriate age group below to download these fun, helpful, and informative materials.
Preschool
Lesson plans and activities A Forever Home pet adoptions; Down on the Farm animal welfare; Spotlighting Animal Actors treating animals with kindness; and Wonderful Wildlife endangered animals.
Kindergarten
Activity sheets Fewer and Fewer, math sheet about endangered sea turtles; Good for Cows, Good for Us about dairy cows; Play Every Day, writing about pet adoption; Plenty to Eat, math about animal actors.
Grade 1
Activity sheets that teach your students how to be kind to animals through A Happy Hen math problems; Love a Pet language sheet; On the Big Screen writing activity; and Tiger Talk problem solving.
Grade 2
Help your students make real-life connections to words, interpret information, compare numbers, and problem solve with Animals All Around, “Egg-cellent” Choices for Hens, Love Those Animals, and Top Dog.
Grade 3
Math and language worksheets Kind and Gentle Treatment, about choosing humanely raised food; Movie Marathon, about which movies treat animal actors well; Save the Shark, about helping wild animals; and Sharing and Caring, about pet adoption.
Grade 4
Reading, problem solving, and division worksheets encouraging students to Be a Farm Animal Fan; Be Prepared for pet adoption; how to treat Furry, Feathered, and Famous friends; and know The Word about Wildlife.
Grade 5
Reading, problem solving, and division worksheets encouraging students to Be a Farm Animal Fan; Be Prepared for pet adoption; how to treat Furry, Feathered, and Famous friends; and know The Word about Wildlife.
Animal Reports
Pledges
Certificates
