Greetings,

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. This issue is very important to me. A lot of abusive human beings are not in touch with their emotions. In order to express their pent-up frustration, fear, sadness, or loneliness, they lash out at those most vulnerable - animals - even though these creatures have nothing to do with what they are feeling. Sometimes these animals react by lashing out right back, and sadly, many of these misunderstood animals are sentenced to death as a result.

I believe the most effective way to stop this cycle of violence is to teach our youth about the proper treatment of animals. Children are like sponges; they are constantly learning from their experiences. If something truly touches the heart and soul of a child, it stays with him or her into adulthood. This type of education can create a cycle of a different sort: a cycle of compassion.

Often, it takes a catastrophe for people to come together and make a positive change, but it doesn't always have to be that way. We can work together to prevent tragedy. It begins in our communities, our neighborhoods, and our homes. We can all be a part of the solution. I encourage you to take a moment each day to think about how you can fulfill others' lives - human or animal!

Stay calm and assertive,

Cesar Millan

The Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation is working hard to promote this change by providing compassion education to children at a young age. Your donations and support make this possible.