Education & Resources

Through our various resources and educational materials, AWI equips learners of all types to improve the lives of animals. Through education, we aim to foster an understanding of the positive impact that compassionate attitudes and behaviors can have on animals, the environment, and ourselves.

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AWI Quarterly

The magazine of the Animal Welfare Institute. This full-color periodical examines issues regarding animals everywhere, and has circulation over 62,000.
Humane Education

Learn more about the teaching of compassion and empathy for all living beings and respect for their habitats.
For Educators and Students

Learn more about our lesson plans and additional teaching resources.

Resource Catalogue

AWI provides free, downloadable books, reports, lesson plans, and brochures on a variety of animal welfare issues. Many of our materials are also available printed and are provided free to those who can put them directly to use helping animals, and at cost for all others. Libraries, teachers, and research facilities may obtain one free copy of all publications. Place your order online through the order form or by calling us at (202) 337-2332.

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Refinements for Rodents and Rabbits in Research Institutions cover

Refinements for Rodents and Rabbits in Research Institutions

Book Published 2026
Synthetization of the last 15 years of research on welfare improvements to the housing and care of mice, rats, other rodents, and rabbits used in experimentation. Chapters include: housing, social housing, environmental enrichment, abnormal behavior, human-animal interaction, colony management, and...
Brochure cover of A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare

A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare

Brochure Published 2025
Interactive and mobile-friendly guide to help consumers understand the animal welfare implications of food label claims and certifications applied to dairy, egg, meat, and some seafood products. Includes information on the standards and reliability of some of the most common...
Brochure Cover of A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare Pocket Version

A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare (Pocket Version)

Brochure Published 2025
Concise guide to help consumers understand the animal welfare implications of food label claims and certifications applied to dairy, egg, and meat products. Includes information on the standards and reliability of some of the most common claims consumers see, including...
Cover of North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation and Vessel Strike Protections Lesson Plan

North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation and Vessel Strike Protections Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2025
Students will learn about North Atlantic right whale conservation efforts along the East Coast of the United States, focusing on protections from vessel strikes, one of their leading threats. For grades 10–12; integrates interactive exploration with critical thinking and creativity,...
Report cover of Farmed Animals in Transport: The Twenty-Eight Hour Law

Farmed Animals in Transport

Report Published 2025
Analysis of enforcement of the federal Twenty-Eight Hour Law from 2006–2023. Updates 2022 edition of report.
Report cover of Barn Fires: A Deadly Threat to Farm Animals

Barn Fires

Report Published 2025
Examination of barn fires and associated farmed animal deaths in the United States. Presents findings from three years of compiled data on when, where, and why barn fires occur, and offers recommendations on how to prevent them. Updates 2022 edition...
Report cover of Humane Slaughter Update

Humane Slaughter Update

Report Published 2025
Analysis of federal and state enforcement of humane slaughter laws, from 2019–2022; follow-up to AWI’s 2020 Humane Slaughter Update.
About AWI Brochure

About AWI

Brochure Published 2024
Overview of AWI’s goals and programs to alleviate the suffering inflicted upon animals by humans.
Cover of Frog Anatomy Body Systems Lesson Plan

Frog Anatomy Body Systems Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Lesson plan developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Cover of Pig Anatomy Organ Systems Unit Plan

Pig Anatomy Organ Systems Unit Plan

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Lesson plan developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Cover ofRat Anatomy Organ Systems Unit Plan

Rat Anatomy Organ Systems Unit Plan

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Lesson plan developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Brochure cover of Horse Slaughter

Horse Slaughter

Brochure Published 2024
Discussion of why legislation is needed to ban the slaughter and export for slaughter of American horses for human consumption.
Cover of Frog Anatomy Workbook

Frog Anatomy Workbook

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Workbook developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Cover of Pig Anatomy Workbook

Pig Anatomy Workbook

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Workbook developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Report cover of Enforcement of State Farmed Animal Welfare Laws

Enforcement of State Farmed Animal Welfare Laws

Report Published 2024
In 2023, AWI requested records from every state with specific on-farm animal protection laws or regulations to determine whether and to what extent they were being enforced. This report describes what our survey revealed about these 10 states’ enforcement of...
Cover of Rat Anatomy Workbook

Rat Anatomy Workbook

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2024
Workbook developed by Elisabeth Ormandy, an educator specializing in non-animal teaching methods, that cover biology and anatomy concepts for students in grades K–12 using dissection alternatives.
Brochure cover of Homes for Horses Coalition

Homes for Horses Coalition

Brochure Published 2024
Description of the Homes for Horses Coalition’s mission to end horse slaughter, promote collaboration and continued learning for the equine rescue community, facilitate the care of and finding of homes for horses in need, and advance the highest operating standards...
Cover of Endangered Species Teacher Handout

Endangered Species Poster Handout

Lesson Plan/Activity Published 2023
This handout, designed to accompany the Endangered Species poster, discuss facts about endangered species and actions we can take to protect them. Recommended for middle school and above.
Book cover of The Case Against Marine Animals in Captivity Spanish version

El Caso Contra el Cautiverio de Mamíferos Marinos

Book Published 2023
El informe "Argumentos contra los mamíferos marinos en cautiverio" se publicó por primera vez en 1995 como un recurso integral para el público, los medios de comunicación, los científicos, los estudiantes y los responsables políticos, con el fin de comprender...
Brochure cover of The Schweitzer Medalists

The Schweitzer Medalists

Brochure Published 2023
Complete list of individuals upon whom AWI has bestowed the Albert Schweitzer Medal since 1955 in honor of their outstanding contributions to animal welfare.
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