Animal Welfare Professionals

I have heard from several leaders in our area (informally) that humane education programs in schools and at the shelter don't work and we don't currently have one in our city. I do AAE with my pet therapy group, because I refuse to accept that this makes no difference. I can't even get an animal control officer to appear at my summer camps. The vet tech always comes, but the officers aren't allowed. 

What has been your ACTUAL experience? Do you have any links to research that has addressed this? 

#EducationandTraining

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Tami Harbolt
Assistant professor, University of Louisville
Evaluator and CE chair, WAGS Pet Therapy of KY
KY
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Hey Tami,

I'm genuinely shocked to hear that there are places that say these humane education initiatives don't make a difference! Full disclosure, my rescue is an exotic pet trade rescue, not cats and dogs. That being said, we do animal education (to promote adopting not shopping, and basic welfare thoughts for the audience to keep in mind).  And I personally feel that it makes a difference. It leads to people becoming fosters, adopters, sending their friends our info, etc. We do these programs for everyone from preschool to retirement homes. 
While I have never researched the statistics of this, and am only speaking from personal experience, I would disagree with anyone, any day, that these in-person education programs do not work. From personal experience :)

I've attached a photo from a humane education class we did recently. The students spoke little english, and we had to utilize a translator. Still, they were so excited and were asking so many wonderful questions about adoption vs shopping. 

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Brittany Vanderstine
Founder
Wild Exotics Animal Refuge
NJ
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