Children's book on behavior towards dogs

How should children behave towards animals?

Together with the “Kosovo Association for the Protection of Animals”, we have just published a children's book in Albanian based on the model of the Zurich Veterinary Office - it shows children the risk situation with dogs and how they should behave.

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Children's book publication

In 2024, we implemented a special project: the publication of a lovingly designed children's booklet that teaches children how to behave correctly towards dogs in a simple and clear way. The aim is to promote understanding and respectful treatment of animals — for greater safety in everyday life and harmonious cooperation between humans and animals.

The booklet tells in child-friendly language and with many colorful illustrations what dogs like and what can make them unsettled or even frightened. It shows how children should approach a dog, when petting is allowed — and when it is better to keep a distance. Important basic rules are taught in a playful way, which not only promote animal welfare but also the safety of the children themselves.

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To accompany the booklet, we have published a video that vividly complements the content. It is aimed at children as well as parents, teachers and other caregivers.

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Our experience shows that many biting incidents could be avoided if children knew how to handle dogs. With our project, we want to help prevent such situations — through education that is fun and has a lasting effect.

The booklet is distributed in schools, kindergartens and animal shelters.

We would like to thank everyone who made this project possible and welcome any family who uses the book to talk to their children about dogs. Because good cooperation starts with knowledge — and with respect.

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School visits to Gjakova, Vushtrri, Skenderaj and Drenas as well as Mitrovica

Our partner vets have been visiting school classes regularly since 2016, with the exception of the two years we lost due to COVID restrictions. School classes are also invited to our sanctuary.

In school lessons, we use a flyer designed for us by Anna Fleischhauer on the subject of dealing with stray animals. For advice on how to keep dogs and cats at home, we use the Susy Utzinger children's booklet. With their permission, we were able to translate it into Serbian and Albanian and it is now in use in the Albanian-speaking area and in Montenegro.

Our veterinarians teach themselves at all 5 project locations. At the same time, they also try to focus on the profession of small veterinarians. There are hardly any small veterinarians in both countries, as livestock and meat are much more important.

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Here you can find instructions for teachers on German and albanian.

(Instructions for teachers, specifically tailored to our experiences in Kosovo and not necessarily applicable in other countries.)

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