Caring for Animals

1Four things every animal you keep must have

An animal cannot go to the market. It cannot open a tap. It cannot build itself a roof. When you keep an animal, everything it needs must come from you.

1. Food. Fresh grass and banana leaves for the cow and the goat. Maize and kitchen scraps for the hens. Food every single day, not only when you remember.

2. Clean water. Not muddy water. Not old green water. Clean water, and the trough filled again each day. A cow drinks a great deal of water — much more than you do.

3. A shelter that is dry and clean. A shed with a roof, so the animal is not standing in the rain all night. And you must sweep the droppings out, or the shed becomes wet and smelly and the animal gets sick. Good news: those droppings are free manure for the beans in your garden.

4. Care when it is sick. If an animal will not eat, or will not stand up, or its eyes are running, tell an adult straight away. An animal doctor can come and help it.

Worked example: Gatete's day with the goat

This is what Gatete does now, every day, so that it never happens again.

1. Early morning: he opens the shed and lets the goat out.
2. Morning: he takes the goat to the grass so it can eat.
3. Midday: he fills the trough with clean, fresh water.
4. Afternoon: while the shed is empty, he sweeps the droppings out and carries them to the garden.
5. Evening: he shuts the goat safely inside the dry shed for the night.

Look at the order. The shed is opened first and shut last. The shed is swept while it is empty. Nothing is forgotten, because Gatete does the same steps every day.

2Be kind. Never cruel.

An animal feels pain, just as you do. It cannot tell you, so you must think for it.

• Never beat an animal with a stick. Walk beside it and lead it gently.
• Never throw stones at a dog or a cat.
• Do not tie a goat so tightly that it cannot lie down or reach the grass.
• Do not carry a rabbit by its ears. Hold its body with both hands.
• Do not take a chick away from the hen. She is looking after it.
• Do not put too heavy a load on any animal.

3Stay safe near animals

Being kind also keeps you safe. A frightened animal can hurt you without meaning to.

• Never walk right behind a cow. If it is startled, it can kick — and a cow's kick is very strong.
• Leave a dog alone while it is eating or sleeping. Even a friendly dog can bite if you surprise it.
• Never touch a dog you do not know.
• If a dog bites you or a cat scratches you, tell an adult the same day. Every time.
• Always wash your hands with soap after you touch an animal or clean a shed.

4And wild animals?

A wild animal is not a pet, and it never becomes one. It is afraid of you, and a frightened wild animal is dangerous.

So if you visit Akagera or the Volcanoes, or if you meet a snake near the house: keep far away, stay quiet, and never chase it, feed it or throw anything at it. Look with your eyes, not with your hands. If it is near your home, walk away and call an adult.

Try it yourself

Think of your answer, and a reason for it. Then look underneath.

Answer: fill the trough with clean water. The goat is thirsty. An animal needs clean water every day, not only sometimes.

Answer: no — never beat an animal. It feels pain. Walk beside the cow and lead it gently, and it will follow.

Answer: so the shed stays dry and clean and the animal does not get sick. And the droppings become good manure for the garden.

Answer: leave it alone and give it space. Never touch a strange dog, and never disturb any dog while it is eating.

Answer: stay far away, keep quiet, and look at it from inside the car. Never call it, feed it, or throw anything at it. It is a wild animal.