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The first humane education programs in the
United States were started in the nineteenth century by the original
animal welfare and child protection organizations, who frequently shared
the same founders. For example, Henry Bergh established the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866 and the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1874. George T. Angell
founded the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals in 1868 and the American Humane Education Society in 1889. The
humane education programs targeted schools and church groups with books
(e.g., Black Beauty and Beautiful Joe) and other
printed materials as well as talks and sermons. Their mission was to
foster kindness toward people and animals, which was viewed as integral
to a civilizing ethic in society. As George T. Angell wrote in 1891: By
building up in our colleges, schools, and elsewhere a spirit of
chivalry and humanity, which shall in coming generations substitute
ballots for bullets, prevent anarchy and crime, protect the defenseless,
maintain the right, and hasten the coming of peace on earth and good
will to every harmless living creature, both human and dumb. (George T. Angell, Autobiographical Sketches and Personal Recollections (Boston: American Humane Education Society, 1883), p. 105.)
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For many years, our complex relationship with
animals and its impact upon society was no considered sufficiently
important to be a subject taught in schools. The only professional
humane educators were those who were employed by the larger humane
societies and SPCAs who could afford such programs. They primarily
taught elementary school children about kindness toward companion
animals. As budgets increased, however, humane educators were
increasingly hired to teach companion animal welfare, spaying and
neutering, kindness and such issues as dog bite prevention. The Association for Professional Humane Educatorswas
established with the mission to “provide professional development
opportunities and networking for educators who promote humane attitudes
toward people, animals and the environment.” In 1997 the International Institute for Humane Educationinitiated
the first Humane Education Certification Program and in conjunction
with Cambridge College (Massachusetts) the first Master of Education in
Humane Education in 2000.
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George T. Angell’s original concept of humane
education as a civilizing principle is not so different from how it is
presently defined. For example, the four core principles of humane
education for the International Institute for Humane Education are to:
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Provide accurate information so that students understand the consequences of their decisions as consumers and citizens
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Foster the 3 Cs: Curiosity, Creativity and
Critical Thinking so that students can evaluate information and solve
problems on their own
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Instill the 3 Rs: Reverence, Respect and Responsibility so that students will act with kindness and integrity
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Offer positive choices that benefit oneself,
other people, the earth and animals so that students feel empowered to
help create a more humane world
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In addition to the professional development of
humane education programs, The Humane Society of the United States
initiated the Humane Society University to serve the animal care and
control community with various online classes in animal caregiving and
behavior, humane education, and humane leadership and shelter
management. For example, HSU offers in conjunction with Duquesne
University (Pennsylvania) an online Bachelor of Science degree program
with a major in Humane Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in
Organizational Leadership; and, in conjunction with Webster University
(Missouri), a Master of Arts in Teaching in Multidisciplinary Studies,
Emphasis in Humane Education and Character Development.
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A further development in the academy is the emergence of animal law and humananimal studies. The Center for Respect of Life and Environment
(an independent division of The Humane Society of the United States)
maintains an annotated list of courses. Law schools that offer classes
in animal law include Georgetown University, Lewis & Clark College,
Columbia University, Duke University, Harvard, Yale, UCLA, and so on. An
indication of the growing academic interest in the moral and legal
status of animals is the emergence of Human-Animal Studies – the
examination of how animals figure in our lives. The American
Sociological Association published “ Teaching About Animals and Society,” which is a collection of syllabi, projects, assignments, web sites, articles and bibliographies. -
The animal protection movement envisions a time
when education in the United States recognizes as fundamental to the
interests of a civilized society the unique and special role that humane
education programs can have to inspire positive values of reverence,
respect and responsibility.
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The animal protection movement calls upon
government and schools to incorporate humane education programs into the
curriculum at all levels (K-12) as an integral component to such
subject categories taught as social studies, science, language arts,
math and health as well as a topic in its own right. An effective humane
education curriculum offers students a comprehensive approach to
understanding about animals, the environment, sustainable and humane
living, media literacy and human rights.
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Further, the animal protection movement calls
upon government and schools to partner with the animal protection
movement to develop and expand the training and certification of humane
educators. Also, appropriate assessments must be developed to ensure
that humane education programs are continuously improved. In short,
humane education programs are uniquely qualified to help society
confront its many challenges. For that reason, we believe humane
education programs must receive their due recognition and funding to
ensure their success.
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Our call for tougher laws and stronger law
enforcement for companion animals must be part of a humane education
program to encourage responsible attitudes and practices by people of
all ages and in all sectors of society. Therefore, we call upon
government and schools to achieve the following legislative objectives.
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Establish and fund mandatory animal care
educational programs in schools, libraries and other public forums. Any
live animals included in such programs should be visitors, not full-time
residents, at the facilities.
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Design and fund multi-media animal care
programs such as educational campaigns designed to promote responsible
companion animal acquisition, care and long-term guardianship.
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Discourage the keeping of undomesticated exotics as pets and promote their preservation in native habitats.
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Develop and fund humane education courses as part of the college and university curricula.
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