The pedagogical and educational work of the Band of Mercy for Promoting Kindness to Animals

<ns3:p>Since the publication of John Locke’s Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1693), the question of the education of children and young adults in the spirit of the humane treatment of animals became a subject of pedagogical reflection. Together with the enactment of the first bills on animal protection in the nineteenth century and the appearance of the first animal protection societies, this matter of education gained new urgency. In the 40s of the nineteenth century Great Britain introduced classes in the humane treatment of animals to schools belonging to the National Schools Society. Members of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) also undertook educational activity, with a particular role being played by the Ladies’ Committee. The first children’s and youth Band of Mercy for Promoting Kindness to Animals was set up in 1875, providing a more organised and comprehensive humane education program. Within a few years, a few Bands emerged across the whole of Great Britain. By 1920 there were 527 Bands with an estimated total membership of between 75 000 and 145 000. My article discusses in detail the work of these Bands of Mercy, describing their programs and the methods used when training members of the organisations.</ns3:p>