Teachers should be aware that where animal abuse is taking place, whether perpetrated by parent or child, child abuse is often taking place as well. Humane education is more than pet care information. Teaching responsible pet ownership is part of humane education, but it is not the whole aim. If every Canadian looked after his or her pets properly, certainly many animals would be better off. But if the motivation for looking after pets properly does not include a genuine appreciation and concern for all life, then humane attitudes have not been fully developed.
Humane education takes environmental education a step further.
Environmental education includes wildlife as part of the natural environment. Humane education includes domestic animals as part of the human environment which is part of the natural environment. Humane education teaches an appreciation of the interrelationships of all living things. Its subject matter is the web of life. The life and welfare of each individual person is inextricably interwoven with the lives and welfare of the other people, wildlife and domestic animals with which he or she shares the earth.