Be Kind to Animals Week: America's Oldest Compassion Campaign

Animals need our kindness year-round, not just on special days. The first full week of May marks Be Kind to Animals Week—running Sunday through Saturday as a time when people pay extra attention to animal welfare.

American Humane started this tradition back in 1915, making it the oldest special week we celebrate as a nation. Their century-old practice aims to teach better treatment of all creatures through education and local action. People of all ages share their participation using #BeKindToAnimalsWeek on social media.

What makes a tradition stick around for over a hundred years? It connects to something basic in us—the ability to care about others, even when they're not human.

Quick Links: Be Kind to Animals Week

Historical Roots and Changes

American Humane launched this week during the early animal protection movement of 1915. This makes it the longest-running special week in American history. President Eisenhower made it official in 1955, stating that "the measure of a nation's humanity is its treatment of all living creatures." Since 1973, the week has always fallen on May's first complete Sunday-to-Saturday span.

What started as simple messaging grew into detailed teaching tools. Famous people helped spread the word while keeping the main point—be kind—intact.

Timeline of Be Kind to Animals Week

• 1915:

  American Humane Society creates the week

• 1916:

  First official campaigns spread across the country

• 1935:

  20th anniversary sees wider participation

• 1950s:

  Schools begin using special lesson plans

• 1973:

  Current timing pattern starts (first full week of May)

• 1990s:

  Social media campaigns begin

• 2015:

  Hundred-year anniversary celebration

• 2020:

  Shift to online events during COVID while keeping the mission

Main Ideas and Goals

The week focuses on four key principles that work regardless of changing times. First, helping people understand what animals need. Second, promoting decent treatment for all creatures, not just pets. Third, teaching young people to care. And fourth, encouraging adoption to reduce homeless pets.

Does this approach actually work? Research says yes. With regards to young children, studies show animal-assisted humane education increases cognitive competence and empathy, and reduces hyperactivity^[2]. A separate research study sees students' social, behavioral, and academic development improve^[1]. This suggests being kind to animals helps build emotional skills that benefit everyone.

Ways to Join In

Individuals

1. Adopt animals from shelters instead of buying
2. Take your pets for check-ups
3. Tell authorities if you see animal cruelty
4. Make your yard a haven for wild animals
5. Donate to a reputable organization dedicated to protecting wildlife

Families

1. Visit places that treat animals well
2. Help at local shelters together
3. Watch together shows or films that encourage love for animals
4. Create emergency plans with pets in mind
5. Take a moment to appreciate wildlife in your garden or in parks

Schools

1. Use free resources from the American Humane Society
2. Hold art contests about being kind to animals
3. Ask shelter workers to speak to students
4. Form student groups focused on compassion
5. Encourage students to study the current state of wildlife.

Communities

1. Set up adoption events with nearby shelters
2. Organize low-cost spay/neuter services
3. Start pet food banks for struggling families
4. Train teams to help animals during disasters
5. Lobby policymakers to create laws protecting endangered animals

Measuring Effects and Reach

This week can drive real change. In 2018, the ASPCA reported that their social media presence helped increase adoptions of harder-to-place animals by 55% in shelters that participated. Taking advantage of all related awareness dates, like National Pet Day and Be Kind to Animals Week, is an easy way to boost any shelter's social media game.

Beyond this, these aren't just dry statistics. They represent thousands of animals with better lives because people learned and took action.

Taking Part This Year

Be Kind to Animals Week builds connections between people and animals. Start planning now by checking American Humane's website for ideas. One person can make a difference, but communities working together create a lifelong display of compassion.

Resources:

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)