Through interactive school visits and fun Hero in My Hood activity books, TEARS is empowering primary school learners to become more compassionate towards their pets and build a kinder community for animals.
Cape Town, South Africa (16 October 2026) – TEARS Animal Rescue is known for its heartfelt mission to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and re-home domestic animals, as well as provide vital veterinary services to local communities. Run by a dedicated team, TEARS strives to provide a safe space for animals in need and work toward ending homelessness, neglect, and abuse.
But did you know TEARS also visits local schools?
Staff and volunteers work with primary school learners right at that crucial age when kindness, empathy, and responsibility are shaped for life.
“We teach them about the 5 Freedoms: the basic rights every animal deserves to live a happy, safe, and healthy life,” TEARS shares.
These freedoms include:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigour.
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Each of these freedoms is brought to life through the Hero in My Hood story activity books and posters, which TEARS uses to guide and inspire learners during their fun, educational school visits. Because when a child understands what their pet truly needs, they become an advocate for animals.
“They make sure their dog has fresh water, their cat is fed, and their pets are safe and loved. That knowledge spreads to their family, their street, and their whole community. This knowledge extends beyond the classroom,” the animal rescue organisation shared.
To help them put what they’ve learned into practice, the TEARS team provides the youngsters with cat and dog food, collars, leashes for their pets, and a workbook filled with lessons to colour, learn, and share at home.
At the heart of this educational initiative is a desire to curb animal suffering by bringing children directly into the mission. As TEARS reiterates:
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TEARS extends its sincere appreciation to its sponsors, The DOV and the Edie and Cicely Blumberg Project, for making this crucial work possible.
Sources: TEARS Animal Rescue
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