Be Kind To Animals Week: Take The Kindness Pledge. Dogs & Cats

Be kind to animals!

Celebrate Human Compassion with American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Week!

be kind to animals

They cannot ask for kindness
Nor for our mercy plead,
Yet cruel is our blindness
Which does not see their need.
On Kindness To Animals, Edgar Guest
 

“Be Kind to Animals.”  Not a new sentiment, of course.  Probably as old as Humankind.

First, Queen Victoria granted her official seal of approval to the Royal Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Since then, men and women (especially Women!) have been organizing to humanize Humankind in its treatment of our fellow creatures on an increasingly shrinking Earth.

It began with creating shelters for abused and abandoned animals.  Then saving endangered wildlife.  Farm animals.  Exploited Show Biz, circus, aquarium and zoo animals.

In America, a number of human and animal protection groups united to form the American Humane Association (AHA).

Its stated purpose being “to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children and animals.  And to assure that their interests and well-being are fully, effectively, and humanely guaranteed by an aware and caring society.”

From it’s earliest days and well into the Nineteen Fifties, American Humane ran a popular and effective art poster campaign.  It was “focused mainly on children, hoping that attitudes learned in childhood would carry on into adult life.”  Illustrators included Edwina Kernan, Don Osher and Harold Anderson.  As well as Morgan Dennis (“Drive Carefully – Someone’s Pet”) and Will Rannnells (“Boy Feeding A Horse”).

In the Sixties and early Seventies, actors like Lorne Greene, Betty White, Carole Burnett, Doris Day and John Wayne were featured in AHA posters.  In ’73, Duke chaired that year’s ceremonies.

After celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 1977, the organization began its “second 100 years” by going worldwide with its efforts.  They effectively helped bring in an international ban on killing porpoises.  And the strengthening of laws overseeing foreign slaughterhouses that exported to the U. S.

So what can you do to show your love of all those creatures we share this Earth with?  You could wear a Be Kind To Animals shirt, of course.

be kind to animals weekEven better, you could consider this:  Take The Pledge — the Kindness Pledge…

The American Humane Association goes back to 1877.  And their heart-felt pledges for boys and girls go back almost to their beginning.  Perhaps the most well-known is “I will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Like previous versions, the new Pledge for 2017 is aimed at children.  But, you know mon ami, it’s never to late, we’re never too old.

Listen to this:

“I believe in kindness and compassion for all animals.  And that all animals are entitled to humane treatment.  I will be kind to animals all year round by…”

For generations of Americans, the month of May has always been associated with kindness.

Because it’s “Be Kind to Animals Week.”  And American Humane is asking 1 million people to take its Kindness Pledge, promising to do four simple things to improve the lives of the world’s animals.

Millions of people around the country young and old have joined American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization.  Together, they celebrate its “Be Kind to Animals Week®” (May 7 to 13).  Which is the oldest commemorative week in U.S. history.  And the nation’s longest-running, most successful humane education campaign.

To build a new generation of animal advocates, American Humane is challenging 1 million people this year to take the “Kindness Pledge.”

Asking them to do four simple things to protect and better the lives of animals, including 10 billion farm animals by:

  1. Seeking out humanely raised foods with the American Humane Certified™ seal.
  2. Helping the 6 to 8 million animals abandoned each year by adopting from shelters.
  3. Becoming aware of the more than 100,000 animal actors who entertain, educate and charm us in film and television each year by looking for the “No Animals Were Harmed®” end-credit.
  4. And helping the many endangered and disappearing species of the world.  Cultivating caring and understanding of magnificent creatures by taking their children to Humane Certified™ zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers.

“The need for compassion has never been greater,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “I hope every American will join us in celebrating ‘Be Kind to Animals Week.’   Making a difference for all the creatures of the Earth.  Not just during these several days, but all year round.”

To celebrate “Be Kind to Animals Week®,” take the pledge, find ideas and curricula designed to build empathy in children.  And learn more about how you can support American Humane’s work to help animals.  Please visit www.Kindness100.org.

“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe

 

And don’t forget to protect your pets: “Make sure they are wearing up-to-date identification tags, are microchipped, take a nose print (there’s an app for that!) or join a Lost Dog Finder.”

Did you like this Be Kind to Animals Post?

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About American Humane

American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.

Source: American Humane, PRNewswire & Civilized Bears.

Title: Be Kind To Animals Week: Take The Kindness Pledge.

Keywords: American Humane, animal rights, be kind to animals week, be kind to animals week 2023, kind to animals week 2024.  Be kind to animals shirt, no animals were harmed and wildlife.

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About Brian Alan Burhoe

A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants and Health Care kitchens for well over 30 years. He's a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. Brian's many published articles reflect his interests in food service, Northern culture, Church history & Spiritual literature, imaginative fiction, wilderness preservation, animal rescue, service dogs for our Veterans and more. His fiction has been translated into German & Russian... See his popular CIVILIZED BEARS!
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