Early education about animal sentience and welfare shapes lifelong attitudes and behaviour toward animals; evidence-based programmes in schools and at home can build compassion and informed advocacy.
The values and attitudes toward animals that children develop in early life tend to be durable and influential in adult behaviour. Children who learn to recognise animal suffering, understand the concept of sentience, and see animals as beings with interests and needs rather than objects or resources are more likely to make welfare-conscious choices as consumers, to engage in welfare advocacy, and to pass these values on to their own children. Education that combines empathy-building through direct animal contact with accurate information about welfare challenges creates the most robust foundation for lifelong welfare concern.