Kindness and justice to animals are an essential part of human virtue.
I feel it should also be part of our education system.
Teaching children to be kind to animals, whether they are their pets or strays, goes a long way toward shaping them into the type of citizens we want them to be.
Children who are gentle and respectful towards animals are more likely to be respectful and empathetic to other human beings.
This behaviour must be highlighted by schools and accentuated at home.
Schools could work closely with animal shelters and get the children involved.
It is necessary that parents understand their involvement in teaching children to respect animals. They should lead by example.
There are many ways in which we can teach our children to be kind to animals.
We can get them involved by making the lives of stray animals better – volunteer at local pet shelters, feed them, and neuter them.
Let us work towards a society, and a country that has no strays on the streets. How wonderful it would be if every stray had a home.
That would mean we have created a space, not only for animals, but also for our children in which there is much compassion, care, kindness, and love.
When we are kind to animals, they will give us unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship.
Kindness to animals is a virtue. Kindness and justice to animals are noble qualities.
As German philosopher Emmanuel Kant said: “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
I have shared my experience as a volunteer with students at my school – Global Oak Tree Scholars International School.
I hope it will set an example for them, that we should be kind to animals and extend that kindness to those around us.
At the end of 2019, my school auctioned off our scholars’ artwork to parents.
We raised more than RM1,300 that we donated to animal shelters.
The children were excited that their artistic efforts benefitted some of the animals.
We had plans to visit some shelters and get them to bring animals to the school.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to cancel.
But now, as we move towards a more normal life, we may revisit the idea. I know the children would be excited.
Remember, it does not cost us anything to be kind.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.
