Train your children from their earliest days to be
infinitely tender and loving to animals. If an animal be sick, let the children
try to heal it, if it be hungry, let them feed it, if thirsty, let them quench
its thirst, if weary, let them see that it rests. Most human beings are sinners, but the beasts are innocent. Surely those without sin should receive the most kindness and love -- all except animals which are harmful... But to blessed animals the utmost kindness must be shown, the more the better. Tenderness and loving-kindness are basic principles of God's heavenly Kingdom. Ye should most carefully bear this matter in mind.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Conservation of the Earth's Resources)
