Vienna, Hanoi, 12 November 2025 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, in collaboration with the private educational institution EQuest, has launched a pioneering school program aimed at fostering compassion toward dogs and cats among students. The initiative is currently being piloted in ten all-through schools across Vietnam, engaging children aged 3 to 18 in discussions and workshops that highlight the horrors and dangers of the Dog and Cat Meat Trade (DCMT) — a practice still prevalent in parts of Vietnam — and promote the principles of Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO). The DCMT is responsible for the estimated slaughter of six million dogs and cats annually and poses serious public health risks due to potential disease transmission. Following the pilot phase, the program is set to expand to 20 additional schools nationwide and will run throughout the academic year. A second phase is already in development, aiming to empower even more children to make compassionate choices for the welfare of animals in their communities and their beloved pets.

Today’s curriculum: Teaching compassion, confronting cruelty 

Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) begins with providing a loving and safe home for the companion animals. To help students understand how pets can become valued members of both their families and the greater community, FOUR PAWS distributes educational leaflets in schools. These materials contain key information on RPO, including:

• Regular Health Checks – Ensure your pet receives annual vaccinations and preventative treatments against parasites
• Identification & Registration – Microchip your pet and keep their details up to date in a national database
• Neutering – Helps prevent overpopulation, reduces certain health risks, and can tackle behaviour problems
• Hygiene & Grooming – Maintain your pet’s wellbeing through nail trimming, dental care, and regular grooming

Young changemakers against DCMT 

Although a FOUR PAWS survey has shown that the vast majority of Vietnamese people oppose the cruel dog and cat meat trade, it continues to be practised in parts of the country. The trade remains a profitable business for a small group of individuals directly involved — pet thieves, butchers, and ruthless traders.

"Witnessing any aspect of the trade can be a deeply traumatic experience for children. This is why our educational program is so vital: it creates a safe space for open dialogue, helping children process their impressions and emotions. Rather than leaving them alone with confusion or fear, we aim to provide them with the knowledge to make compassionate, informed decisions throughout their lives. Ultimately, we aim to empower them to become advocates for change — engaging with older generations, some of whom may still view the trade as a cultural tradition, whereas FOUR PAWS beliefs, that tradition should never justify practices that cause an animal to suffer,” says Dharmpaul.

Background

Each year, more than six million dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered in Vietnam, and approximately three million dogs fall victim to the trade in Cambodia annually. To put a sustainable end to the cruel dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia, FOUR PAWS has launched a campaign on an international and national level in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The dogs and cats ending up in the trade are often stolen pets or stray animals taken from the streets, crammed into small cages, and brutally killed at restaurants, markets, and slaughterhouses throughout Southeast Asia. The unsanitary conditions in slaughterhouses and live animal markets provide the perfect breeding ground for the emergence  and spread of zoonotic diseases, with potentially catastrophic results for global public health. Throughout FOUR PAWS work in the region, the animal welfare organisation has always supported local animal welfare organisations and communities with humane and sustainable stray animal care programmes.  

About EQuest 

Founded in 2003 by educators trained in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Germany, EQuest Education Group is a leading private education organisation in Vietnam, driven by innovation, excellence, and dedication. Its comprehensive ecosystem spans K-12 education, higher education, and EdTech, serving over 210,000 learners nationwide. EQuest is the first private education group in Vietnam to earn full accreditation from Cognia (USA), underscoring its commitment to international standards. The organisation has also received notable recognition, including “Best Workplace in Asia 2024” and multiple awards for its ESG initiatives and community impact.