spcaLA: Friends for Life

Humane Education

About Humane Education

spcaLA’s Humane Education Department is pleased to be able to offer a variety programs to the Los Angeles community and beyond.

What is Humane Education in Animal Welfare?

Humane Education serves the community as a long term strategy for large scale change and improvement in the quality of animals’ lives. We do this through prevention and intervention programs that are designed to help create and sustain a culture of empathy and compassion by shaping moral development and instilling positive attitudes towards animals.

The biggest goal of Humane Education is to decrease both animal cruelty and interpersonal violence by focusing on changing the root of the problem and ending the cycle of violence; resulting in a better world for both people and animals.

How is Humane Education spread through the community?

Humane Education is spread through the community through a myriad of programs. All of these programs aim to establish a sense of responsibility in their participants and foster respect, kindness, and empathy towards animals and other humans. The Department’s teachings communicate the interdependence of all living things and the vital role each person plays in making this world a better place. Programs include:

• Animal Safety Net™: A Violence Intervention Program
• Community Outreach
• Pet Care Patch Workshop
• Online “Do-It-Yourself” Presentations
• Spring and Summer Kids’ Camps
• Teaching Love and Compassion (TLC)™: A Violence Prevention Program

How can you help spread Humane Education throughout the community?

There are a variety of ways that any individual, of any age or career, can participate in humane education. The spread of humane attitudes and positive treatment towards all living things is not limited to the work of a Humane Educator. As a matter of fact, the more people who regularly both practice and teach the values of humane education, the more likely our world will become a better place for both animals and people. It is up to you to help us lead the way to a kinder and more compassionate future. Here’s how:

• Bring humane education to your classroom, library, event, or program via our free, downloadable, Power Point online classroom presentations. All presentations include step-by-step curriculum to guide you through the presentation.
• Volunteer at the spcaLA! What ever your skill set or interests, there are a myriad of volunteer opportunities at the spcaLA. Please contact our volunteer coordinator at (323) 730-5300, ext 300 or email info@spcaLA.com to see how you can help.
• Plan a local drive or project, which can be dually effective by helping the spcaLA shelter animals as well as, teaching youth in your area the importance of caring for animals. For ideas about possible projects for you and your child or group, please visit the Community Service Projects.
• Never miss an opportunity to educate those around you about the importance of caring for animals. Please visit our Resources for more information.
• Include animals in children’s lives. Read a story, visit a zoo or aquarium, volunteer at an animal shelter, go for a nature walk to look for wildlife, or any other way you feel you can incorporate positive experiences with animals into your child’s life! The earlier we can teach the power of compassion, the better for everyone!
• Violence is cyclical, and studies show that child abuse, domestic violence and animal abuse are all interconnected. Often, when children commit animal abuse, this is an indicator that other forms of violence are also occurring in the home. Please visit the Cycle of Violence section for current statistics and information on this topic.
• Report all animal abuse. This includes any situation that involves harming, neglecting, or fighting an animal. Click here to report animal cruelty or call the spcaLA Animal Cruelty Tipline at (800) 540-7722.
• The Humane Education team is always interested in hearing how you have successfully become a humane educator in your community. If you have new ideas, old ideas, or stories you’d like to share about humane education or your experience please do not hesitate to contact us at HumaneEducation@spcaLA.com.