Is there any more perfect gift than a great book? And the stories that we read as kids can stay with us well into adulthood. Here are 12 of our favourite children’s books. We know the young animal lover in your life will adore them.

Charlotte’s Web — E. B. White

Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider are unlikely friends. But when Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered for meat, clever little Charlotte makes it her mission to convince the farmer to let him live.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”The thought that all animals are individuals and want to live had a huge impact on me as a little kid.” author=”Lucy, Communications”]

Bonus: It’s also a movie!

Black Beauty — Anna Sewell

A story of a horse told from the horse’s perspective. He goes through the hands of a number of different ‘owners’. Some are kind, some are cruel.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”This book taught me about kindness. Written from the horse’s perspective, it instilled the fact that all animals have feelings, emotions and personalities, just like humans.” author=”Tash, Executive Officer”]

Lizard Gully — Warwick Tennant

The smartly dressed individuals of Lizard Gully have a very important responsibility — making rainbows for the sky. The community of Australian animals must work together to stop criminals from stealing all the petals that make the rainbows.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”It made me think ‘snakes are people too!’ and I became very protective of reptiles in my childhood.” author=”Lou/snake girl/bat lady, Supporter Services and Wildlife Carer”]

Grandad’s Gifts — Paul Jennings

This is a spooky and touching story about a boy who is able to bring a fox who had been killed for its fur back to life — with a little help from his recently deceased grandfather.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”I read this so many times as a kid. The regret the boy’s grandfather felt for killing the fox, and the extent to which they both go to make amends is so heartwarming, and so hopeful” author=”Kim, Communications”]

Troggle the Troll — Nick Falk and Tony Lowe

Troggle is a small troll who doesn’t want to eat people for dinner. Can he convince his family that vegetables are yummy?

The Velveteen Rabbit — Margery Williams

An oldie but a goodie! The Velveteen Rabbit is about a boy who gets sick and is made to burn all his toys that might carry the infection – including the little bunny that he loves the most. Later, he sees the bunny brought to life!

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'”]

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”It’s about the transforming power of love, and of kindness. It’s about true friendship and the gift of freedom. I love it to bits.” author=”Isobel, Communications”]

The Story of Ferdinand — Munro Leaf

Ferdinand isn’t like other bulls. While the others want to charge around and butt heads, Ferdinand is happiest sitting quietly under his favourite tree and smelling the flowers.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”As the quiet kid sitting under the tree, Ferdinand helped me. Now it’s my job to help all the little bulls.” author=”Amy, Youth Campaigner”]

A Day No Pigs Would Die — Robert Newton Peck (Young adult fiction)

A dark story about a boy who bonds with a pig named Pinky. But when his family is going through tough times, Pinky’s fate takes a sad turn.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”I’d never thought of a pig as a friend or someone you could love and who would love you back. This book completely reshaped the way I thought about all animals.” author=”Lisa, Communications Director”]

WANTED: The Perfect Pet — Fiona Robertson

This is a story of a boy who wants a dog more than anything in the world so he places an ad in the newspaper. A lonely duck desperate for a friend disguises himself as a dog and goes to meet the boy.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”The overall message is that all creatures are unique and all desire and deserve love and companionship no matter their species.” author=”Kat, Senior Graphic Designer”]

The Very Best of Friends — Margaret Wild

When Jesse is forced to cope with the sudden loss of her partner James, she shuts out his beloved cat William. But she soon learns that sometimes we need animals just as much as they need us.

Born Free — Joy Adamson (suitable for young adults)

Born Free is the story of Elsa the lion cub who was orphaned and raised by Joy and George Adamson and later released back in the wild. Though not technically a children’s story, it was much loved by a number of our staff when they were young.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”It taught me a lot about the feelings and emotions animals have, and that they have families and should be free to live their lives, in their home, just like us.” author=”Megan, Membership Liaison”]

The Incredible Journey — Sheila Burnford

Three family pets go an adventure to find their humans that have gone on holiday.

[PLUGIN type=”quotation” quote=”This one left a lasting impression on me and shaped my strong beliefs in loyalty, protecting those you love and never giving up!” author=”Clarissa, Supporter Services”]

The bond felt between animals and children is undeniable. And the children of today are the world leaders of tomorrow. When children grow up with hearts and minds full of kindness, compassion, hope and belief in a better world … well … anything is possible.

Do you know some future world leaders? We hope that you will share stories about love and compassion with the children in your life.

See the world through a child’s eyes …

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The post These 12 children’s books are the perfect gift for compassionate kids appeared first on Animals Australia.

At ‘best’, puppy factories use dogs as breeding machines — and deprive them of the love and companionship they crave. At worst, they are hell holes … We’ve seen dogs kept in ‘upright tombs’, denied sunlight and forced to eat, sleep and ‘live’ in faeces-littered cages.

Isn’t it illegal to treat dogs this way?

Sadly, the cruelty inherent in puppy factories — lack of exercise, minimal human interaction and social enrichment — can be entirely legal. Victoria is the only state in Australia with meaningful legislation that mitigates some of the problems associated with puppy farming, however this does not prevent animals from puppy farms interestate being shipped into Victoria to be sold. While some Australian puppy factories breach cruelty laws, many others operate completely within regulations. It can be legal to keep a mother dog confined to a barren concrete cell in a shed for 23 hours a day, churning out litter after litter of puppies, and denying her everything that makes a dog’s life worth living.

How many puppies come from puppy factories in Australia?

It comes as a shock to caring dog lovers to discover that many Australian puppies sold online or in pet shops were born in inhumane puppy factories.

Get the figures »

Why does puppy factory cruelty continue?

Puppy farmers know that caring people would be horrified to know the conditions their dogs are living in.

Selling through pet shops or online allows unscrupulous breeders to hide from unsuspecting customers where these puppies are born, and how their parents are treated. They may employ fancy websites and glossy ads of happy, healthy dogs, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

What about ‘registered’ breeders?

Many people look for ‘registered’ breeders to avoid buying from puppy factories, but the term in itself is no guarantee. Current laws are inadequate and oversight of these laws is minimal. Inhumane puppy factories may simply be ‘registered’ as a business, and even registration with official dog breeding associations does not always ensure appropriate treatment.

The only way to know where a puppy came from, and what conditions their parents live in, is to visit the property to see for yourself. Click here for our helpful guide to finding a puppy.

What about ‘pedigree’ breeders?

Pedigree dog breeders are members of canine associations and their peak body, the Australian National Kennel Council. The ANKC’s Code of Ethics states members should not breed or sell dogs for the commercial pet market. However, membership with a canine association is not a guarantee in itself that conditions in which dogs are raised and housed are appropriate. A responsible pedigree dog breeder will vet you as stringently as you vet them. They will be open to questions, to you visiting their property and to you meeting your new pup’s parents.

Is this a problem specific to one breed?

No. This is about the breeder, not the breed. Investigations into puppy factories have revealed that both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are victims of puppy farming. Popular cross-breeds such as spoodles, cavoodles, labradoodles and Shih Tzu-Maltese crosses are routinely produced in puppy factories. However, as shown in our TV ad, and as investigations have revealed, pure breeds such as labradors, golden retrievers, boxers, spaniels, cavaliers, pugs, beagles and even border collies have been found in puppy factories. No breed or cross-breed is safe from unscrupulous breeders, which is why dogs need the community to be vigilant if inhumane puppy factories are to be stamped out.

What’s the best way to find a puppy?

• The simplest and most direct action you can take to end puppy factory cruelty is to adopt from a rescue group or shelter. Or use this flowchart to help navigate other options.
• Trust your gut. If someone is willing to sell you a puppy sight unseen, ship them interstate, or asks to meet you in a public place to hand over the puppy, it is likely they have something to hide.
• Knowledge is power. Laws have left dogs and puppies exposed. It’s up to compassionate Australians to change the future for them. Share this with family and friends to help spread the word about puppy farm cruelty!

The post How big is the puppy factory problem? appeared first on Animals Australia.