Animal Welfare Education
Education Changes Lives
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
We believe that respect for animals is learned from an early age. That is why, since 2013, the Millions of Friends Association has been developing educational programs that help future generations understand that every animal deserves care, respect, and compassion.
Through interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and encounters with rescued animals, we give children the opportunity to discover not only their stories, but also just how much each of our actions can matter. We aim to raise generations of people who are more empathetic, responsible, and committed to protecting animals and nature.
AMP Educational Program
Romania’s First
Animal Welfare and Protection Course
In partnership with the Brașov County School Inspectorate and Brașov City Hall, AMP launched the optional course “Animal Welfare and Protection” in 2013, an educational program designed for primary and secondary school students.
The program includes:
- 17 thematic lessons on animals and their relationship with humans;
- hands-on activities and interactive exercises;
- an educational visit to the AMP Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești.
To date, more than 10,000 students have participated in the courses organized by AMP.
What Children Learn
Our programs help children understand:
- how to care for an animal responsibly;
- the importance of spaying and neutering and preventing animal abandonment;
- the benefits of adoption;
- the specific needs of domestic and wild animals;
- everyone’s role in protecting the environment;
- what empathy, respect, and care for vulnerable beings mean.
We want every child to understand that animals are not objects or resources, but living beings that need protection, care, and respect.
Accredited Educational Manual
A Unique Learning Resource
Participating students receive a free textbook developed by AMP specialists, an educational resource dedicated to animal welfare.
The textbook was approved by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) and represents one of Romania’s first educational initiatives of its kind.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Educational visits and
hands-on experiences
Education becomes more meaningful when children can see and understand the reality of rescued animals first-hand.
That is why we organise:
- visits to the AMP Libearty Sanctuary and the Brașov Public Dog Shelter;
- activities at the Hope Educational Centre;
- participation in Romania’s “Different School Week” and “Green Week” programmes;
- open days at the Brașov Public Dog Shelter;
- meetings with veterinarians and animal carers.
Each year, nearly 1,000 students take part in these experiences, which transform theory into valuable life lessons.
Hope Educational Centre
A place where children discover
domestic animals
Opened in 2019, the AMP Hope Educational Centre for Rescued Domestic Animals is home to more than 60 animals and gives children the opportunity to discover, in an authentic way, animals they often know only from books or television.
Across the centre’s 7,000 square metres, visitors learn how to care for horses, donkeys, pigs, chickens, and other domestic animals, understand the specific needs of each species, and discover the responsibilities involved in caring for them.
AMP Hope is more than a sanctuary for rescued animals—it is an educational space that helps children understand nature, develop empathy, and discover the realities behind the animal-derived products we consume every day.
Involvement Creates Change
Education Through Volunteering
Through AMP’s volunteer programmes, animal lovers have the opportunity to play an active role in caring for animals and improving their welfare. By socialising and walking dogs, helping with maintenance tasks, and supporting the shelter’s daily activities, volunteers learn the true meaning of responsibility, patience, and respect for animals.
Direct contact with rescued animals helps them understand the impact their own actions can have on these animals’ lives, inspiring them to advocate for adoption and responsible behaviour towards animals.
A More Responsible Generation
The Impact We Aim to Achieve
Through AMP’s educational programmes, we aim to help shape a generation that is more responsible and empathetic towards all forms of life. We want to expand animal welfare education to as many schools across Romania as possible, support teachers who wish to pass on these values, and help children understand from an early age the importance of respecting animals and nature.
We believe education is the most effective way to reduce animal abandonment and cruelty and to build a healthy relationship between people, animals, and the environment. Every child who learns to respect and protect animals contributes to building a better society for all.
Are you a teacher or do you represent a school?
If you would like to organise an educational visit, take part in AMP’s programmes, or bring the “Animal Welfare and Protection” course to your community, contact us and together we will create an educational experience tailored to your students.
Request an Educational Visit