Kerosene Attack on Cat Prompts Call From PETA to Teach Kids Kindness

PETA’s Humane Education Division Contacts Schools About the Importance of Addressing Cruelty to Animals

For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

In response to reports that three kids are believed to have thrown kerosene on a cat named Hello Kitty, causing serious injuries, TeachKind—PETA’s humane education division—is calling on Alpena County educators to begin teaching students about the importance of being kind to animals. In addition to the direct impact on the animals who are hurt or killed, experts know that uncorrected acts of cruelty can lead to other anti-social and violent behavior. TeachKind and PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—are also offering to send humane education lesson plans and posters titled “Abuse: Report It if You See It” to each school in the area in the hope of preventing other incidents.

“It is vital to teach kids that other living beings have feelings just as humans do and that they deserve our compassion and respect,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “FBI officials have documented a strong link between cruelty to animals and other violent crimes, so teaching young people to be kind to everyone has as much benefit for the children as it does for the animals.”

Even the FBI recognizes the importance of battling this problem and has now turned cruelty to animals into a top-tier felony. Countless animals have been saved by concerned people who picked up the phone to report that a dog was chained outside without food or water or that their neighbor was poisoning cats.

TeachKind’s staff is always available to send free materials to schools and host free classroom presentations with students via Skype. TeachKind helps kids learn to have empathy for all living beings before they ever lash out violently against anyone.

For more information, please visit TeachKind.org.