People are often surprised at the number of programs that are operated from within The Animal Center. To learn more about our programs, please read on!

Humane Education: Learning to Care, Caring to Learn

"Children trained to extend justice, kindness and mercy to animals become more just, kind and considerate in their relations with each other".

      -------National Congress of the PTA. 1993

Our Humane Education programs challenge students, teachers and community groups to examine and renew their relationships with animals, through interactive educational activities such as games, problem solving stories, thought provoking videos and music. All educational presentations include a visit by at least one of our live animal "educators".

Our age-appropriate Humane Education school programs assist teachers in fulfilling the Humane Education Mandate of the California Education Code. This mandate reads, "Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils principles of morality...including kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures..."(Educ.44806)Humane Education Programs

Preschool student - explores the needs of pets, the ways to approach a strange dog so as to minimize the risks of being bitten and common feelings shared by both children and animals.

Elementary School students - learn about the basic and special needs of pets, the responsibility of pets ownership, and examine how our choices and actions affect the animals in our lives.

Middle School students - examine the human-animal relationship and the special problems created when humans and animals interact, such as habitat destruction and pet overpopulation.

High School students - learn about the pet overpopulation crisis, euthanasia and what individuals can do to prevent and halt this tragedy. Career possibilities in the animal field are explored.

Special Education students - are given an opportunity to interact with the animals at their level of comfort and explore all areas of animal care and knowledge as found in the above programs.

Your Facility or ours?

Our educators can come to your class or you can come to ours. Programs held at our shelter will be similar to those presented at your classroom but will also include a tour of our shelter. All in-school programs and shelter tours, except preschool and kindergarten, require approximately 60 minutes. Preschool and kindergarten programs last about 30 minutes.

How to register:

We recommend you call is at least one month or more in advance to schedule a presentation. Contact call Education Coordinator, Ina Shookhoff at (760) 839-0293 for an appointment. We look forward to sharing our love and knowledge of animals with you and your students!