SPCA: Education key to stopping abuse

I have just returned from an SPCA Inspector and Education Conference in Nelson and let me tell you there are some amazing people doing positive and amazing work for the SPCA nationwide.
It gives me so much hope for the future of Animal Welfare.
We have the One of the Family campaign fronted by leading New Zealand figure, Norm Hewitt, who has for the last five years presented to Year 7 and 8 students in schools around New Zealand. One of the Family highlights links between domestic violence and animal cruelty, and what we can do to stop the cycle both within families and our communities.
It is has been proven that teaching children kindness and empathy towards animals leads them to treat each other the same way. I have watched Norm and this presentation many times and on every occasion he holds hundreds of students in his hand and takes them on a journey.
He talks to them about holding on to their dreams and about how they can make decisions to stop the cycle of violence that they know so well, all through the humane treatment and compassion for an animal.
Then we have the many passionate education officers like me who present their own animal care and welfare programmes highlighting compassion and empathy, throughout local schools, and there are many people coming on board every time.
In 2011 my personal target is that all Bay of Plenty intermediate and secondary schools become involved with, and take advantage of, our animal welfare education programme.
This will ensure a positive future outcome for all animals.
If you, the student or parent or even teacher, haven't seen me at your school, please ask your teacher or your principal to contact the SPCA and arrange a time for me to come and talk to your class or assembly.
As a community we need to be pro-active for the positive future outcomes of animals instead of knocking at the SPCA door only when it is being reactive to any situation of animal cruelty.
Nicolle Smith is the SPCA education officer for the Western Bay of Plenty. You can contact her on 07 578 2784.