When you know better, you do better. The NSPCA travelled all the way to a school in Mokgola village in the North-West province to lay the foundation of animal welfare in young people who will now go on to inspire their families and communities to treat all animals with care and respect.
North-West, South Africa (08 April 2026) – Without the right knowledge, many people, especially youngsters, may not realise that some commonly accepted ways of treating animals are actually harmful. In many communities, it is still considered normal for pets to be left unattended for long periods, kept on short chains, or forced to endure cold conditions outdoors.
Education on animal welfare is most needed in these communities, which is why a team from the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) made the journey to deliver it.
In March, the NSPCA’s Donkey Upliftment and Outreach Unit travelled nearly 300 km to Mashwelwa Primary School in Mokgola village, near Zeerust in the North-West, to lay the foundation of animal welfare.
During the educational visit, 351 learners sat in for a lesson that opened their minds to a whole new way of viewing and treating animals.
“Most had never been taught about animal welfare before. Our Inspectors showed them what animals need to stay healthy. How to handle farm animals properly. Why dogs should not live on short, static chains,” the organisation said.
The team noted that without the right knowledge, suffering becomes normal.
“That is why we start here, early and practically, in communities where animals are part of daily life.”
The hope is that when a child learns to appreciate the value of an animal’s life and understands that it deserves care and respect, they will share this knowledge with their family. In doing so, the attitude of an entire household can shift, ultimately transforming a community’s approach to the well-being of its most vulnerable residents.
We can only hope that these lessons will stay with the young people, leaving a lasting impact on the village’s donkeys, dogs, and all its creatures.
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