The aim of the cooperation agreement, signed by Péter Sótonyi, the Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Péter Ovádi, the Ministerial Commissioner for the Renewal and Implementation of the National Animal Protection Program at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Norbert András Czibik, the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Social Affairs and Child Protection, is to promote animal welfare awareness among children in child protection institutions and broaden their knowledge of responsible pet ownership. Péter Sótonyi announced that due to the high level of interest in 2021, the University will once again announce the “Best Animal-Friendly Kindergarten” competition for 2022, expanding it this time to include elementary school category as well.
Péter Sótonyi, the Rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, stated that there is a widespread consensus among professionals working in the fields of human and animal protection that the two areas are closely interconnected and have numerous points of intersection. It is in our collective interest to live in an ethical society and minimize suffering and cruelty, whether directed towards humans or animals. The agreement stipulates that the three organizations are familiar with each other’s activities and also acknowledge that they share common goals and values. One such shared goal is social education (teaching and knowledge dissemination) in the field of animal protection, particularly with regard to the attitudes of the younger generations towards animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. The agreement also aims to promote a change in society’s perception of animals, organize animal and nature conservation events, and encourage participation in joint scientific research.
The Rector added that the Animal Welfare Center of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapst, along with its associated editorial team comprising students, the “Animal Protection for Kids” team, is committed to providing personal lectures on animal welfare, workshops for children, and informational materials, depending on the prevailing pandemic situation, to children living in child protection institutions, facilitating their exposure to animal-related experiences.
The “Best Animal-Friendly Kindergarten and Elementary School of the Year 2022” competition
With the professional support of the Animal Welfare Center of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, the editorial committee of “Animal Protection for Kids” announced a competition for kindergartens for the first time in April 2021. The competition was open to kindergartens that have made outstanding contributions to animal protection this year and have endeavoured to incorporate responsible pet ownership into their education through diverse and creative programs. Due to the high quality of the 81 applications received, as decided by the jury comprising animal welfare and educational experts, all applicants in 2021 were entitled to use the title “Animal-Friendly Kindergarten” for one year.