I recently heard of an animal rescue organization called Rescue Ink from an article in USA Today that discussed a rise in humane education. Their homepage makes me think of a reality show involving motorcycles or muscle cars, but those brawny, tattooed men are working on behalf of animals, taking down dog fighting groups and puppy mills, saving animals from abuse, educating people about proper care for animals, and taking animals on visits to schools as well as with sick and elderly people who need companionship and cheering up. On one page of their website, they compare themselves to the animals they love, describing both as wild looking and warm-hearted. It’s a very cool organization that just goes to show that animals unite people of all kinds. Sure, there are people who are indifferent to animals, and then there are the Michael Vick/puppy mill/100 sick cats in the basement types, but the majority of people certainly have a soft spot in their hearts for animals.

This USA Today article was accompanied by pictures of children reading books to cats, illustrating one aspect of humane education, which is getting kids involved in caring for animals and understanding what it means to be humane. An amazing number of comments on this article surrounded these photos, and most seemed to think this is a bad thing. Well, sure, cats probably don’t care about the plight of Captain Underpants. But look at the bigger picture. You have a child spending time with a homeless cat. You have a child learning what it means to volunteer. And you have a child reading. What, exactly, is bad about this scenario, I don’t know. I know that my cat loves to see me sit down with a book because it means my lap is available for her next nap. My dog, too, loves to curl up at my feet at the same time. It’s quality time, for them and for whoever is there to offer it.