Animal Welfare Education: Building Future Advocates

Education about animal welfare from early childhood through professional training shapes the behaviours and decisions that affect billions of animals across all contexts.

Key Facts

Research shows animal welfare empathy is established in early childhood and affects adult behaviour
Agricultural students report low awareness of animal sentience science during their training
Veterinary training is increasingly incorporating welfare as a core competency
Many countries lack national curricula including animal welfare in primary or secondary education
The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute supports education on human-animal relationships

Welfare Considerations

Animal welfare education at all levels shapes the adults who will make decisions affecting animals as farmers, veterinarians, food purchasers, and policymakers. Children who develop empathy for animals are more likely to make welfare-conscious choices as adults. Agricultural students who understand animal sentience and welfare science make better welfare decisions on farms. Veterinary graduates trained in welfare assessment make better clinical decisions. The long-term impact of welfare education is among the most leverage-effective interventions available.

What You Can Do

Support schools including animal welfare in PSHE or science curricula
Advocate for animal sentience and welfare science in agricultural college programmes
Encourage veterinary schools to expand welfare teaching in clinical training
Donate to organisations developing age-appropriate animal welfare educational resources
Engage with animal welfare conversations with children in your life