I have a couple little cousins ages 6 and 5. They are being tought by their mom that animals are gross and disgusting! Well not if I can help it! I have them come over about once a month or two and stay the night. they get taught all about animals. At first they would run away form them and even cry when I got the animals out of the cage. It is sad that they can have that much of a fear about animals all because it was taught to them by their mother. Well over time they are getting more and more used to them. And now when they come over they ask to hold all the different animals form lizards to rats and snakes. Its great to know that I have an impact on them and can change their minds. i even have convinced their mom to allow them to keep fish! Which is a huge step! im working my way towadrs a small lizard around christmas, lol. My point in all this is that its a huge responsibilty of pet owners to properly teach young kids the importance of animals and our environment.
this is my cousin dylon, This is the first time he touched a reptile and I had to bribe him with a peice of big red! lol
I think there are too many people like your cousins' mom (your Aunt?), but it always goes back to lack of information. We (people) in general, fear what we do not understand and it manifests in prejudice, lack of tolerance for people who are different, toruturing, abusing or simply neglecting animals - and many other ways. But the biggest is likely fear/disgust - like your cousins' mom.
) and I find that pointing out the "interesting" stuff gets them involved. So whatever it takes, I commend you for caring and doing what you can. These kids are our animals future.
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