Humane Education is Making a Difference for Dogs and Cats in Liberia

Animal-Kind International support is funding Liberia Animal Welfare & Conservation Society's Humane Education Program in 10 schools in Zorzor District in Lofa County, not only making a difference for dogs and cats in Liberia, but also for over 3,000 children.

These kids once thought that animal abuse was normal and acceptable; it's what they saw and what they learned from most adults around them. But now that they're participating in the Liberia Humane Education Program, they're learning about dogs, cats, and other animals, and they can safely share with their peers about how bad they actually felt when they witnessed cruelty. The LAWCS Humane Education Program gives them the power and knowledge to stand up for animals and educate their family members about having compassion for animals.

With funding from Animal-Kind International, LAWCS provides humane education materials that get kids talking about animals in a different way than they used to, in a more loving and respectful way.

As a first step in the process of getting kids to feel comfortable around animals, LAWCS uses stuffed animals--they're not at all threatening!

Humane Education in Liberia is changing the way kids interact with dogs and cats.

Humane Education class in Liberia teaches about the Five Freedoms and other animal welfare concepts that are new to the children.

Humane Education session, where students create posters to be shared with family and friends

Sometimes in Humane Education sessions, students get a chance to interact with a real dog, which is always very exciting. Of course, Liberia Animal Welfare & Conservation Society makes sure that any dog who accompanies them to Humane Education class is gentle and used to being around children. It's a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the students about how to safely approach dogs, read dog behavior, and of course, to get to know the joy of a dog.

Humane Education class is extra-fun when a dog comes to school.

How do we know that Humane Education is making a difference for cats and dogs in Liberia? Because of stories like these:

This is Anne with her dog Hope. Before participating in the Liberia Humane Education Program, Anne wasn't the least bit interested in animals, being kind to cats and dogs, or having anything to do with cats and dogs. Anne's participation in the LAWCS Humane Education Program has changed that.

Anne and Hope, showing kindness and compassion

Anne became concerned about how her family's pet was being treated -- she wanted to make sure that what she learned in class about the Five Freedoms was being applied to the family dog. Eventually, Anne became so attached to Hope that Hope now accompanies Anne to school where she helps teach her fellow students about kindness and compassion for animals.

 Moifee's family never had a dog. His parents had no interest in having a dog around their homestead; dogs were considered dirty, not smart, and a waste of time and money. But when Moifee started attending LAWCS Humane Education classes, Moifee's eyes were opened.

Moifee with his dog, Do Good, are inseparable.

Moifee told his family everything he was learning and he got his parents to think a little differently about dogs. Moifee then begged them to let him have a dog and they agreed. Now Moifee and his dog, Do Good, are inseparable, and even Moifee's parents admit that Do Good brings them happiness.

To read more stories like these, see the Liberia page on our website, where you can also read about the Animal-Kind International x Liberia Animal Welfare & Conservation Society partnership.