Accompanied by his own former "shelter dog", Sky, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law last week naming animals adopted from shelters Colorado's official "state pet." Colorado is the first state to distinguish—and promote the adoption of—animals from shelters in this way.

The law was spearheaded by students at Peakview School in Walsenburg and Rooney Ranch Elementary school in Lakewood as part of a school project to learn about the legislative process. Kids attended a Senate committee hearing to testify in favor of the bill. One legislator's rescued dog, Angus, also took part.

At the hearing, 14-year-old Peakview student Roger Arellano reminded legislators that raising awareness about the need to adopt animals from shelters is "a matter of life and death."

In recognition of their achievement, PETA Kids has honored students at both schools with Compassionate Kids awards, and we've also sent thank-you notes and vegan chocolates to the bill's sponsors as well as the governor.

"Tell all your friends I'm kind." That's what 6-year-old Catherine Hubbard used to say to insects, in the hope that they would all feel welcome and safe, according to her mother, Jenny. The thoughtful, introspective redhead was one of the 26 children and educators tragically gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December.

To honor Catherine, PETA is inscribing a leaf on the Tree of Life monument at our Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters that reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

CATHERINE VIOLET HUBBARD

FRIEND TO ALL ANIMALS

Catherine loved to watch baby birds in their nests and reveled in having butterflies land on her. She doted on her beloved rabbit, Flopsy, and would help her elderly, arthritis-stricken dog, Samantha, to her feet when she struggled. Before Catherine's funeral, her parents asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Animal Center in Newtown, an organization that rescues homeless animals and provides them with foster care. So far, more than $200,000 has been donated in Catherine's name. Catherine had dreamed of establishing her own animal shelter one day, and The Animal Center plans to use the money raised in her name to build the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, where children can visit and learn about animals rescued from abusive situations.

Each of us can pay tribute to Catherine by trying to live like she would—by taking a stray cat to a shelter, stopping to help a turtle cross the road, or walking a neighbor's dog. These are the kinds of things that Catherine would do if she were here—and the things she would teach others to do by her example.

PETA invites parents who want to raise compassionate kids like Catherine to visit PETAKids.com. And urge your kids to take a page from Catherine's book and tell all their friends that they're kind.

The new 3-D animated film Delhi Safari has all the elements of a kid-friendly romp: wise-cracking animals, madcap adventure, and sing-along–worthy musical scores performed by the likes of dancing parrots and turbaned flamingoes. But cleverly disguised beneath the hilarity and hijinks, the film's message is one that's never too early for kids to hear: Human beings must think about how our actions affect other species.

As the film, which is set in India, opens, builders begin bulldozing a forest to erect a new housing development. But an intrepid group of animals who call the forest home band together on a journey to Delhi to ask the government to stop the destruction. Throughout the exciting escapade, kids can see that animals value their homes, their families, and their lives, just as we do. And, as the animals make clear when they finally reach Delhi, we must all learn to coexist peacefully.

The film, which features the voice of PETA supporter Jane Lynch, is being released in select cities, but Delhi Safari is worth taking kids on their own safari to see it. You can request a showing in your area using GATHR, or buy tickets online for a theater near you.

You can also visit PETAKids.com for fun activities, games, stickers, coloring books, and more that can help kids develop compassion for animals.

When 10-year-old Nicky Schwarz learned that the principal of his California elementary school had agreed to eat fried worms if the students read for a half-million minutes, this kind kid sprang into action. Nicky circulated a petition calling for an alternative to the event and rallied his friends and classmates to speak up, too—and the stunt was called off!

For demonstrating that compassion should apply to all beings, Nicky received a PETA Kids Compassionate Action Award. We sent this smart fifth-grader a framed certificate, a letter of recognition, and a bagful of PETA goodies.

Help inspire the kids you know to turn their compassion into action by giving them a copy of PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk's book 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals.

wikimedia / CC

When President Obama received this year's lucky turkey to be pardoned, he had some brow-raising reservations: "I'm told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys. You can't fault them for that; that's a good-looking bird," he said.

Malia and Sasha's response? No. He. Couldn't.

"Thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha—because I was planning to eat this sucker—'Courage' will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate," he said.

To show Malia and Sasha that we're thankful for their lifesaving involvement this Thanksgiving, we're giving the girls an honorary membership to PETA Kids!

Written by Logan Scherer