Teaching Children about Animal Rights

The issue of animal rights is often overlooked in this society, and I've wanted that to change for as long as I can remember. My original idea was to start a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at my high school, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to raise enough interest and the project would be a flop.

For quite a while, I had a very difficult time coming up with another idea, until I started thinking of all the horrible stories of animal cruelty that I'd heard and read. Teenagers and adults who had neglected, starved, beaten and abused innocent, defenseless creatures. What was the source of all this? Obviously these people had never experienced the joy an animal can bring to your life. Perhaps I could find some children with whom to share that joy. Perhaps I could teach them a little bit about how to care for and respect animals as everyone should.

I started searching for a church youth group to whom I could talk. I called several churches and got several answering machines. After playing phone tag with voice mail and secretaries for a couple of weeks, I finally got in touch wi...

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...y are not the children who need education. They're already involved in something that is going to teach them these kinds of lessons - they're not the neglected, inactive children who grow up to be abusive towards animals and people. That is why I've decided that my work with children is far from over.

The children who truly need my help cannot be found in a youth group or a Cub Scout pack. How I am going to reach these children, I do not yet know. I am fortunate to have the drive, vision and experience I've gained so far to help me along the way.