Buttons, badges, and medals were an important part of the visual identity of the animal advocacy movement in the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries. They visually identified those who wore them as supporters of particular organizations and, in a more general sense, as someone who believed in and cared about treating other species with kindness and compassion. In addition, organizations that were involved with Humane Education efforts often used these items as prizes for events and competitions.
Viewing the Objects in This Section
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MSCPA Medal, early 20th C. Collection of MSPCA Angell.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pin, c. late 19th C. Collection of MSPCA Angell.
Animal Defence Society Badge, early 20th C. Collection of Hilda Kean.
Badge from Our Dumb Friends’ League, early 20th C. Collection of Hilda Kean.
Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society label, early 20th century. Collection of the National Museum of Animals & Society.
Be Kind: A Visual History of Humane Education 
every school in America should be subject to this sort of teaching a awards