Why Teaching Kids About Animal Welfare Isn’t Optional
We’ve had a couple of months packed with fun and learning at our summer camp! More than 300 kids have spent a week at the shelter, learning about animals, how the Ottawa Humane Society supports pets and their people, careers that help pets in need and just having a good time with crafts and activities.
Kids have learned how to safely greet dogs and practiced with an OHS volunteer dog, discovered what rabbits need to feel comfortable and secure, provided enrichment for cats waiting for their forever home, and found out more about what it means to build a more humane and compassionate community.
These moments have filled the hearts of staff and volunteers at the OHS this summer.
Summer camp is of course about having fun and learning. And it has an even bigger purpose in the long run. Meeting kids who love animals today means we can start building the next generation of caring people. What starts as a visit to summer camp blossoms into lifelong compassion for animals, adopting, volunteering for, working for, advocating, and supporting Ottawa’s homeless animals. At summer camps, kids are discovering that they have the power to make an even kinder future possible.
Kids are the pet owners, neighbours, voters and community leaders of tomorrow. The lessons they learn today about empathy, responsibility and respect for animals can stay with them for a lifetime. A child who learns why cats are safer indoors may someday make that choice for their own pet. A camper who discovers why wild animals should be admired from a respectful distance can share that lesson with friends and family.
I’m grateful for every camper who joined us, every family who made humane education part of their summer, and our incredible team of staff and volunteers who made camp such a memorable experience.
While camp may be winding down, school is right around the corner, and soon our humane education team will be bringing valuable lessons about animals directly into classrooms. Through our school programs, students can learn about responsible pet ownership, animal safety, compassion and the role each of us can play in creating a more humane community for the animals.
We see every day how much animals can enrich people’s lives and how powerful learning about animals can be. Our community programs have created opportunities for the next generation to build skills, learn about animal care and experience meaningful connections with pets.
To every young animal advocate who spent time with us this summer: thank you for learning, asking questions, caring and having a great time. We can’t wait to see what you do next. And to the teachers and schools preparing for another busy year: we are ready to help bring the joys of animals to your classroom.
Together, we can raise a generation that cares deeply for animals and for one another.
Heather Hunter
Director: Outreach & Community Services