Teaching children about pet care
Cats Protection is calling animal lovers, parents and teachers to back its call for pet care to be included in the national curriculum.
While the National Curriculum for England is currently out for consultation until April 16, 2013, the charity is urging supporters to contact their local MP and ask for a minor change to the draft.
The call follows a speech made by Lord Guy Black of Brentwood in the House of Lords, in which he stated that millions of pets will be prevented from neglect by adding the basics of caring for them to the national curriculum.
"Problems of neglect, cruelty and abandonment often happen because people don't understand what a pet needs and how to care for it," he explained.
"One of the best ways, over time, to tackle this issue is therefore to ensure that children are taught properly how to care for pets – children are the pet owners of the future."
Cats Protection is a member of the Animal Welfare Education Alliance (AWEA), a group of 22 organisations and charities that hope to improve animal welfare through education.
A recent study by the alliance found that only 16 per cent of children are currently taught at school about caring for pets. Meanwhile, it discovered that 10 million UK pets are not having their basic needs met by their owners.
Lord Black commented that children need to learn that there are five basic welfare needs, as set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. These are environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and prevention of pain, suffering and disease.
"It does not need a new subject to be added to the curriculum to deal with this," Lord Black added.
"Teaching children from an early age about the importance of caring for pets will help them integrate effectively with others and understand the importance of responsibility – something which would have profound benefits for society as a whole."
Cats Protection has compiled a letter that supporters can send to their local MP. To use this click here, and insert your name, address and any personal message you wish to add.
Supporters may also email the Department for Education's consultation team directly.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
