The Ministry of Education in China is introducing an animal welfare course geared towards high school students. The new lesson plan is an impressive step forward for a nation that has long been criticized for its disregard for animal rights.
The new class will be a part of the biology educational program, designed to educate students about important issues regarding pets, farm animals, animals in captivity, wild animals and the dog and cat meat industry. The course will include field trips to various farms and rescue centers.
Animals Asia has been campaigning for improved animal welfare in China since 1998. Founder Jill Robinson cheers the new course, expressing that Animals Asia “applaud[s] the Chinese government’s decision to introduce animal welfare as a high school subject, thereby opening the minds of young people across the country to the needless suffering of animals.”
Robinson reports seeing a gradual attitude change in the Chinese nation as a whole, including an increase in vegetarianism and veganism, thanks to a new generation willing to speak out against inhumane practices. According to Robinson, “The people of China are often the recipients of criticism from around the world when it comes to animal welfare. But there is an enormous and growing movement of animal activists in China today.”
Humane Society International (HSI) has been promoting for lab animal welfare, captive animal welfare and various other issues in mainland China for over 10 years. “China cannot be a modern country if animal abuse and cruelty to animals are allowed,” says Peter J. Li, China policy specialist with the HSI.
To date, Chinese legislature contains no sweeping animal welfare protections. However, national policy has demonstrated significant progress, such as the 2011 ban on animal performances in zoos. In another advance, Kai Bao Pharmaceuticals, a major producer of bear bile, announced they would invest $3.7 million USD into researching a synthetic alternative.
Although these steps forward should be applauded, China’s animals still face many issues, including the ongoing Yulin dog festival, where over 10,000 dogs are slaughtered each year.
Sign our petition to the Chinese government demanding they ban the dog and cat meat trade and enact a national animal welfare law.
Antoinette, you said best. There is no use educating young people if the old people still do all of the dog and cat boiling, torturing them for “so called better better flavor and better health benefits” burning them alive and having the HORRIFIC Yulin dog eating festival.
That is awesome news and can’t come soon enough. I also believe those kinds of courses should be implemented in all schools starting in public schools globally. The earlier they learn about animal welfare of what’s accepted and what’s not. Wild and domesticated alike. All the animals will stand a better chance at not falling victim from cruel human hands. This generation has become so stupid and selfish with no regards for any living creature just so they can have an echo trip well bully for you. I think school teaching idea is an excellent way to start. Do it fast all over the world.
Well said, FINALLY. china is a hell for animals, dogs, cats are being skinned, burned, boiled ALIVE.. This sickness, barbaric actions must stop.
Very wonderful to hear. I guess this is a start but I wished that this kind of training could be taught much earlier since many could be hardened by watching and/or participating in the murder and torture of dogs and cats not to mention the consumption of these animals.
About Time!
Thank you for initiating this animal welfare education…Ibelieve the older Chinese generation will ridicule the the teachings…and hope the youth can stand up to the elders! Long road ahead….
If Jill Robinson had not been gently touched by the paw of a bear being tortured in a tiny cage on a bear bile farm all those many years ago, none of this would have happened. It affected her so deeply that she started the Animals Asia organization, and they have saved and rehabilitated hundreds of bears, and tirelessly campaigned to educate the Chinese to understand that cruelty in any form is wrong. I cannot sing her praises loud enough. She is a true heroine for animals. Please everyone check out Animals Asia, see what they have achieved and are still trying to do, and support them if you can.
What wonderful news. The more people that understand, the better we can fight those that do not. Let’s honor the dog in the year of the dog and all years that follow.
Good news! Now they can teach the adults how to care for animals!
Finallllllly !!!!????????Thank God !!! The sooner the better so many animals are victims of unnecessary barbaric torture and abuse -backwards & cruel acts -I hope that this education helps people to see That everything on this planet is connected and that animals are our friends our family- not food, clothing & entertainment-they share this planet with us they are not here for us – we should be protecting them and not hurting!✊??????????????????????????????????
There is a long a very long way to go with the population of how many millions ?? but I AGREE this is a VERY GOOD START & I HOPE THESE LECTURES WILL BE EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY !
PLEASE EVERYONE SUPPORT THIS “START” FOR THE ANIMALS
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Yulin Dog Festival was banned forever more this year seeing as this is the year of the dog. I am glad that the Chinese government is finally taking some steps toward promoting animal welfare.
QUICKLY VERY QUICKLY START & TAKE NOTICE OF THESE LECTURES…
IF & I HOPE & PRAY WITH THIS “YEAR OF THE DOG” !! YULIN IS GOODBYE FOREVER !
GREAT !!!
Thank GOD!!!! It’s nice to hear positive news for animals in this country!
Something is very wrong with people who lack compassion no matter what your culture. Animals have been tortured in this hell hole for too long. Time to stand up against these sadistic horrors based on ignorant superstitions.
Little steps!! Hopefully bigger steps!! The younger generation are seeing sense. Compassion for animals is a must. The Yulin festival?? Must be stopped at all costs.
Go for it dear ones!
Does this mean that they are no longer going to torture animals for food.and otherwise, and are going to arrest and prosecute those who do?
Fantastic! Thank you to the ones responsible for this class.
COMPASSION STARTS VERY YOUNG.
EVEN 18 month olds HAVE DEMONSTRATED IT. Therefore they need to start in DAYCARE, NURSERY SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN.
IN FACT BECAUSE THE CRUELTY IS SO EXTENSIVE AND PERVASIVE THEY NEED THIS CLASS EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
It’s one baby step in the right direction.
I don’t understand why the PRESIDENT/PRIME MINISTER DO NOT HELP ENFORCE EXTREMELY SEVERE LAWS AND CONSEQUENCES AGAINST ANIMAL CRUELTY.
YULAN LAND SHOULD BE CLEARED (LEVELED!!) AND CONVERTED (AFTER AN EXORCISM IS PERFORMED BY THE DALAI LAMA AND POPE FRANCIS) INTO A WONDERFUL ANIMAL SHELTER FOR ALL HOMELESS ANIMALS OF MANY SPECIES, WHILE THE DOG BOILING AND BAR-B-QUING RESIDENTS SHOULD SPEND LIFE IN A “HANNIBAL LECTER” TYPE PRISON FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE.
WONDERFUL REPLY…THANK YOU
Thank God for this and hopefully this generation will finally set the record straight and put an end to the animal abuse for good
About time they did something the children need to learn to respect animals when babies, start from there.
It’s a good start but this type of class should be taught in the elementary classes and then once again high school. Never too young to start teaching children respect for animals.
I agree. They should start educating children in elementary schools before they get to high schools. It might be too late for some of them depending on what they have been exposed to and its a way of life. The mistreatment and abuse of all animals and especially dogs and cats is just horrific. What gives them the right.
And when I heard they are inserting live turtles in key chains that is so barbaric and is beyond belief. Sad all around and this is way overdue. I hope they take it a step further and put some laws in place against animal cruelty and abuse. That’s where they are really lacking and to turn a blind eye to all that makes them just as guilty as the perpetrator of these crimes.
The first step on the journey of a lifetime