The Character Connection

Respect

People:
Be considerate of others' feelings; be polite and don't bully, make fun of, or otherwise mistreat others physically emotionally; don't use or take advantage of others; and honor others' differences.
Animals:
Understand and respect the differences and similarities between people and animals; don't make pets of wild animals - respect their wildness and their role in the environment; don't abruptly disturb pets when they are eating or sleeping; understand that pets and other animals are thinking, feeling beings - and treat them as such.

Responsibility

People:
Do what you are supposed to do, and always do your best; think before you act; consider the effects your actions may have on you and others; be accountable for your actions, including your mistakes; be disciplined, diligent, and industrious.
Animals:
Understand that adopting a pet is a lifetime responsibility; consider how your decision to adopt a pet will affect you and others in your family; accept responsibility for feeding, exercising, and showing affection to your pets daily; take responsibility for your pet's health by visiting a veterinarian regularly; understand the consequences of allowing a pet to breed and have your dog or cat spayed or neutered; provide proper training and socialization.

Caring

People:
Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving; don't be selfish; be willing to help others in pain or in need; empathize - put yourself in others' shoes.
Animals:
Recognize pets' need for affection; treat them gently and lovingly; never, ever do anything cruel to an animal; take care of your pet; understand the difference between simply caring about animals and actually taking care of one; train your pet with praise and other positive reinforcement; play with your pet, even when you don't really feel like it; get help quickly for injured pets or wildlife; collect and donate things that animals in your local shelter may need; consider adopting an older pet.

Citizenship

People:
Obey laws and respect positions of authority; keep up with current events; work to make your school, neighborhood, and community better; volunteer your time and skills; keep the environment clean and conserve natural resources.
Animals:
Obey laws relating to pet ownership, including leash laws, licensing laws, and ordinances requiring pet owners to clean up after their animals; ask your animal shelter how you can help pets in your community; volunteer at an animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center; teach others about humane issues; read about animals and the problems they face; write letters to editors, legislators, and others to encourage people to improve the way animals are treated; start an after-school club to help animals and the environment; participate in street, park, stream, or beach cleanups.

-The Character Connection, Bill DeRosa, Executive Director of the National Assocation for Humane and Environmental Education, the Youth Division of the HSUS; published in "Animal Sheltering", Sept./Oct. 2001.