Overview of animal welfare education in schools and evidence for curriculum integration.
Animal welfare education in schools has the potential to develop compassionate attitudes and welfare knowledge that persist throughout life. Research suggests that empathy toward animals developed in childhood influences adult behaviour and consumer choices. Well-designed welfare curriculum materials are available from organisations including RSPCA and AHDB. Secondary education engagement with welfare science - including sentience evidence, welfare assessment, and ethical frameworks - produces more sophisticated welfare understanding. Scaling welfare education is a long-term advocacy investment.