Cache Humane Society: Build-A-Bear Youth Humane Education Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Petfinder Foundation support was used to expand our two popular youth education programs: Off-Leash Summer Camps and Paws Academy After-school Clubs. We hosted six sold-out summer day camps, and added our first-ever shelter slumber party. Campers brought sleeping bags and spent the evening learning about animal welfare before snuggling up with shelter cats for a showing of Finding Nemo.

Our After-school Club meets weekly all semester long, and Petfinder Foundation support has allowed us to host groups in smaller age ranges to provide for more age-specific learning activities. Club members learn about animal welfare, are introduced to career opportunities in animal care, and get involved in important community projects.

Cache Humane Society is committed to helping grow the next generation of loving pet owners and animal-care professionals. Our education programs encourage compassion toward animals and a greater awareness of issues and opportunities to get involved. Our animals also benefit from socialization and supervised positive-training opportunities that are a part of all of our education programs.

How many pets did this grant help?

500

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Penny (first and second photos) briefly stole the show during a lesson on the Four Principles of Responsible Pet Ownership. Dogs and cats who participate in our youth-education activities get a special gold star on their kennels indicating that they are Exceptionally Kid Friendly. The gold star gives adopters with young kids the confidence to take home a new furry friend. With the help of the positive socialization provided by our campers, she soon found a home and settled in quickly with her new family.