By Ann Ensminger, Chief Programs Officer

If you are holding this magazine in your hands, chances are that you have a special place in your heart for animals. Now, take a moment to think … what is your first memory of loving an animal?  For some, it may have been during childhood that you fell in love with a family pet, a pet in your neighborhood or a pet of a friend or relative. Maybe it was a result of watching TV shows or movies about animals or from reading books about animals. Perhaps it was later in life or even at a time when you least expected it.

Whatever or whenever it was that you discovered your love for animals, whether you realized it or not, that was the point in time when you started your animal welfare journey.  Every single one of us has landed on a unique point on this path, and it is also up to us to help others find their path.

Today’s children are the next generation of animal lovers, advocates and leaders in animal welfare. Young children are watching and listening, and some may even be fortunate enough to have experienced the love of having a companion animal in their lives.

At Animal Friends, we understand and value the importance of inspiring the youngest members of our community. And, we can’t do this without your help. The future of animal welfare depends on it.

So, how can you inspire the children in your life to be the next generation of leaders in animal welfare?

Here are some easy ways to get them started:

• Invite them to be involved in the care of an animal under your guidance, leadership and supervision.
• Teach them how to ask permission to pet someone else’s companion animal.
• Share stories with them about animals who are helpers, such as service animals or search and rescue dogs.
• Teach them about animal rescue and rehoming efforts.
• Teach them why places such as Animal Friends do spay or neuter surgery on dogs, cats and rabbits to prevent them from having babies.
• Teach them if they see an animal being mistreated or an animal in distress to tell a trusted adult.
• Teach them the basic needs of all animals. The five freedoms for animals ensure that all of their needs are met:

• • Freedom from hunger and thirst. Provide fresh water and food to maintain their health.
  • Freedom from discomfort. Provide an appropriate environment that includes a place to rest.
  • Freedom from pain, injury or disease. Providing regular veterinary care such as vaccines, preventatives for heartworms, fleas and ticks and providing veterinary care when they are sick or injured.
  • Freedom to express normal and natural behavior. Providing cats the ability to scratch, dogs the ability to sniff and rabbits the ability to chew.
  • Freedom from fear and distress. Avoid taking your pet to a firework display or forcing them into a situation where they are uncomfortable.

By playing a part in inspiring the next generation of animal lovers, you are supporting Animal Friends’ mission to ensure the well-being of companion animals, while ending overpopulation, abuse and unwarranted euthanasia. We can’t do it alone – the animals are counting on you!