Empathy-based educational workshops on pig welfare for young people
Pigs are among the least visible farm animals in the Netherlands. While cows can still regularly be seen grazing in fields, sheep walk along the dikes, and some chickens roam outdoors, pigs remain almost entirely hidden away in windowless, closed barns. Yet the Netherlands has one of the highest densities of pigs in the world. Many Dutch children become consumers of pork long before they have ever encountered a living pig.
This is remarkable, because pigs are highly intelligent, curious and social animals. They can solve problems, form friendships, communicate with one another and spend hours exploring their surroundings with their sensitive snouts. Yet most young people know very little about how pigs behave, what they need, what they really look like, or how intensive farming systems affect their welfare.
As a Dutch animal welfare organisation, Eyes on Animals feels a responsibility to help improve the lives of pigs in the Netherlands. We believe that meaningful change starts with knowledge and understanding. Children are the consumers, farmers, veterinarians, scientists and policymakers of the future. If we want to create a better future for pigs, we need to help the next generation discover who pigs really are.
We also believe that some of the most fascinating animals can be found right here in our own landscape – we do not have to go on safari to distant destinations. Research and practical experience show that positive encounters with animals during childhood can have a lasting influence on how people think about animal welfare and farming later in life.
That is why Eyes on Animals and Dr Kees Scheepens, better known as the “Pig Whisperer”, are working together to develop the educational program Eyes on Happy Pigs. The workshops take place at his Educational Centre for Pig Behaviour and Welfare, where children can meet pigs living in conditions that allow them to express their natural behaviour.
Here, pigs can root in the soil, explore large outdoor spaces, build nests, enjoy mud baths and interact freely with one another. Their tails remain intact, they are not castrated, and thanks to innovative Intelligent Pig Toilets, the animals can live on solid floors rather than slatted flooring.
Through observation, practical activities and direct contact with the pigs, children discover how remarkable pigs really are and what good pig welfare means in practice. Our goal is simple: to encourage curiosity, understanding and respect for pigs, and to contribute to a future in which their needs are better understood, valued and respected.
Interested in joining a workshop with Kees Scheepens’ pigs?
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Lara at Eyes on Animals or Dr Kees Scheepens:
