Grades: 8-9
Hundreds of millions of animals die for us, and because of us each year.
However, very few individuals in the population actually know what goes on behind the scenes. We sometimes forget that animals also have an equal opportunity to live here. Exploitation of rare and endangered animals for profit is criminal. The goal of this lesson is to teach the students empathy towards animals. Start by downloading the lesson handouts (pdf) and printing them out.
Question # 1: What do we mean by animal welfare issues?
Answer # 1: Animal welfare issues are controversial issues about animals and their treatment during their lives, regardless of how long or brief. Abuses occur more frequently than the media can report.
Question # 2: Do you think that you can make a difference?
Answer # 2: Yes, even just one person can make a difference in an animal's life. For example, Astrid Lindgren, a children's writer in Sweden, was determined to liberate farm animals from permanent confinement. She believed that animals should be treated as living beings rather than production units. After writing numerous letters to politicians for over five years, Astrid, at age eighty, convinced the Swedish government and Prime Minister to implement regulations that are now regarded as the most advanced farm animal welfare regulations in the world. Thanks to Astrid's persistence, millions of pigs, cows and poultry enjoy improved living conditions.
Welfare- The state of an animal as it attempts to cope with its environment.
In other words, how is that animal responding to its environment? Observation of behavior is the best way to determine welfare. Safety, relaxation, anxiety, fear, playfulness and health are all the things to consider when evaluating the welfare of an animal. One must understand normal behavior in order to assess whether an animal's welfare needs are being adequately met. Everyone probably agrees that all living creatures have similar basic needs; food, water and shelter. The dispute arises when people try to determine to what extent other needs such as comfort, opportunity to express natural behaviors, and contentment should be addressed. And how do you know if an animal is truly happy?
How does this affect YOU?
Farm Animals are often far removed from our daily thoughts when we think about animal welfare issues. This is most likely because we do not interact with cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens on a day-to-day basis unless one lives and works on a farm. The issue concerning how the animals are raised is probably not even considered in most instances. Farm animals, however, are a big part of our daily lives because most of us eat and use animal products everyday. Yet, the closest most people get to a pig is the pork chop in the freezer! These attitudes are most likely due to lack of information, not the fact that most people just do not care.
Farmers in Canada are under a lot of pressure from large super farms in the United States and Canada to keep the cost of production as low as possible. The cost to care for these animals prior to their slaughter is also kept at a minimum. Change is a very scary concept in a market that is uncertain, and these farmers also have to provide for themselves and their families. For the Average North American consumer, price is the deciding factor when making the decision to purchase a product at the grocery store. Farming is a business and farmers are producers. As with any business, the choices they make are based on profits and consumer influence; that means you.
Conclusion
Responsible pet ownership begins and ends with you! You begin by selecting the pet that is compatible with your needs. For instance, if you plan to go to university or get a job that requires you live in an apartment or dormitory room, do not select or acquire a large breed dog such as a St. Bernard. It is unfair to both you and the dog. Furthermore, you should have everyone's consent in your home before obtaining a pet. Remember that most dogs live between 10-16 years and most cats can live to be 15-20! Once you decide on a pet, please remember that animals require much more than food, water and shelter. In addition to these essentials, animals require love, time, attention, care, exercise, rest, toys, a caretaker when you are away, medical care and obedience training. Animals give you lots of time, unconditional love, compassion and attention. They deserve it, and they give you these things everyday in return. If you have any questions about the well-being, and treatment of animals, please feel free to contact our office.
During veterinary medical school, Dr. Maimon co-authored each teaching lesson. These lessons are courtesy of funding by the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Fund at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Each article is copyright protected by the Atlantic Veterinary College. Written permission to display these articles granted by the Atlantic Veterinary College.
