The proven link between animal cruelty and human violence has been a topical issue, especially in the aggressive climate that currently exists. Parents watch in horror as the spate of person-on-person violence escalates amongst our youth. Animal welfare sees a parallel in the abuse of animals. Are they related? According to local and international researchers, most definitely so.

Empathy, compassion and respect are traits that are finding themselves on the Endangered List.  Every person and animal is entitled to safety and security.  By creating an awareness of, and promoting the development of empathy and the necessity of having respect for all sentient beings, we can contribute towards making a difference.

Through our education and outreach programmes we have noticed a prevalence of a gangster culture in some of our service areas which has led to the total desensitization of the youth.  In order to support their image and lifestyle, they have embraced inhumane cultures such as dog-fighting.  That’s where humane education comes in. 

We believe that cruelty can ultimately be reduced by educating the public on responsible pet ownership and by providing the primary veterinary care to the previously disadvantaged communities. We focus on sending out a consistent, stimulating and age-appropriate animal-welfare related message to our target audience.

Click here to view our Topics and Themes for 2012

Click here to view the Topics and Themes we are able to cover at the request of the Education Institution.

• Identify a relevant resource poor/ under-privileged area.
• Assess this area.
• Communication with the proposed community via school, libraries and community centers.
• Integration within the community.
• Education of the community.
• Facilitation.
• Action.
• Maintain a relationship with the community after the outreach has taken place

 A balance is provided by engaging and linking with youth groups at schools, places of worship etc.  Various child protection, welfare, NGOs, ECD forums and law enforcement agencies work together with us on this project.

By fostering humane principles we can promote an awareness of animal needs and empower youngsters that have been de-sensitised.  By teaching about positive interactions with animals, we are teaching human social inter-active skills.  Our programme is inter-active and stimulates the learner to cognitively reach humane conclusions and realizations.

We have topics and themes set per month, based on the environmental calendar.  We celebrate public holidays such as World Heritage Day by educating the youth on our Big 5 animals. From the 3 - 8 May is National Bird week, where we will build bird feeders with the children while they learn about the different types of birds and the Bird of the Year, chosen by Bird Life South Africa.  We are not restricted to these topics and have numerous others we are able to speak to children about topics, such as road safety. 

Adult Volunteering and Community Service Programmes for school-going children

 Click here for more information regarding volunteering  

These programmes are run for Adults Grade 8-12 learners in conjunction with the schools, and the JSPCA ensures that the children receive the required amount of community service as indicated by the school.  The programme is only run during the school holidays and involves the following:

• Orientation Course
  • This course is given by a qualified SPCA inspector.
  • The individual will learn about the SPCA movement, the Johannesburg SPCA’s policies, animal protection laws and basic animal behaviour.
• Test your knowledge
  • A small test is given to each person to ensure that they have sufficient understanding on various topics given in the orientation course.
• Volunteering in our animal adoption centre.

This community service programme does not involve scrubbing kennels and definitely should not be used as a punishment or detention.  While the animals are in our kennel area, awaiting adoption, the JSPCA’s focus is to keep the animal as comfortable and stress free as possible, therefore the person/s will interact and socialize with the domestic animals.  This may include grooming and feeding. 

School Programmes

The JSPCA Humane Education Department works with a variety of learners.  From top independent schools, to schools where there are feeding schemes.  Two of the schools which have been part of our programme for  four years are “Lerato” in Jacksons Drift, which is run by Sister Mary, and “Don Bosco” in Fine Town, run by Sister Theresa.  These Christian-based schools were founded by the Saletian Sisters. The schools are situated in informal settlements that consist mostly of child-led families.  We visit these schools monthly.

We utilise the national curriculum and structure our sessions around relevant subject matter.  Presently, we are able to participate in the following areas:

• Natural Science
• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Life Skills
• Technology
• Arts and Culture

The JSPCA suggests to the school that visit at least once a term.  We have a number of schools which we visit monthly, ensuring that they learn something new about the environmental calendar every month.

Holiday Programmes

The JSPCA education department has a well established relationship with various Ward Councillors, libraries and community centres.  The aim of various holiday programmes is to encourage the youth not to continue with possibly violent and illegal activities.  These holiday programmes involve the youth taking part in literacy and numeracy competitions; arts and culture; sports, such as soccer; and animal welfare-related games.

Eldorado Park Extension Two  library is a prime example of how a community has embraced reading.  Annually, a Prepared Reading Competition is organized and children of all ages are invited to read a passage out of a book that corresponds with the theme the JSPCA has given the library. (2010’s theme was “What it means to love an animal”.)

Small incentives such as pens, bookmarks etc are provided on occasion.  The SPCA Movement is opposed to using live animals for exhibition purposes. We therefore use life-like toys and/or teddy bears to show the children exactly how to handle animals, and to educate them about what they shouldn’t do.

The purpose of our education programme is to teach everyone to understand animals. If we are able to steer people towards developing a passion for animals, we can live harmoniously with them and tolerate them in order to help them to survive in this world.  They need space to express their normal behaviour without fear and distress and we should protect them from cruelty and abuse and understand that they are also sentient beings. 

The JSPCA is dedicated to taking today’s youth and stimulating them to create a kinder tomorrow.  For more information, please contact the Johannesburg SPCA education department on:  Tel: 011 681 3600; Fax: 011 681 3660; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website at www.jhbspca.co.za