Teaching kids that wildlife belongs in the wild, not in our homes as pets, can help end the wildlife trade.
Looking for something fun and educational to do with your child? We are excited to announce a new activity booklet focused on wild animals commonly sold as pets. Our aim is to educate children about why wild animals aren’t pets and to have a little fun along the way.
Featuring species like red-eared sliders, green parakeets, and bearded dragons, the booklet teaches that wild animals love their natural habitats and emphasizes the difference between domesticated pets like dogs and wild animals like turtles. Kids will also learn about different wild species, including why reptiles have scales and where amphibians live.
We understand that kids love animals, and our activity book helps them see that the best way to care for wild animals is to keep them in the wild.
Children are also especially at risk of zoonotic, or animal-borne, illnesses, especially when handling reptiles. Keeping wild animals in the wild where they belong, lowers our risk of contracting zoonotic disease as a human species.
It is important to teach the next generation that wild animals belong in the wild. That way we can lessen the demand for wild animals and curb the global wildlife trade.
If you are an educator and would like to use this activity booklet in your classroom, reach out to usprograms@worldanimalprotection.us.
Did you know we’re urging PetSmart to exit the wildlife trade, starting by ending the sale of reptiles and amphibians? Tweet a photo of a completed coloring page and tag @PetSmart or mail the coloring page to its headquarters with the message, “Animals aren’t products – take the first step to exiting the wildlife trade by ending the sale of reptiles and amphibians!”