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May 2016
 Do you have students who love animals or know of a child who would benefit from learning more about animals and the environment? BC SPCA summer camps are a fun way for kids to become the animal expert in their family and an animal ambassador in their community. Through engaging games, activities and guest speakers, kids will learn about animal welfare issues so they can educate others on how to make positive changes for wildlife, farm and companion animals.
We have camps in 20 locations around the province. We also have bursaries available for those families who need financial assistance.
Check out our camp page for more information or, if you have any questions, contact our camp administrator at 604-709-4679 or camp@spca.bc.ca.
Trash Talk
By Michelle Mulder
Reading level: Grades 4-7
Most of us recycle but, unfortunately, that alone won’t solve the world’s pollution problem. Finding ways to use less and to make something useful from what others consider trash is a better means of helping the planet. Trash Talk is all about people from around the world who are doing just this in surprisingly easy, creative and artistic ways. This book takes the phrase “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” seriously! From composting, reusing or fixing items other people are finished with to using “trash” to build new houses or musical instruments, there are so many ways to reduce waste. The result will be friendlier communities, cost savings and – most importantly – a healthier Mother Earth. There is a take-away lesson for everyone in this book.
Get more BC SPCA book recommendations online.
Humans have moved into areas where wildlife still exists and we must learn to live harmoniously with each other. Bears often become victims when humans don’t take precautions to keep food out of their reach. Putting out trash cans only the morning of pick-up and picking ripe fruit from trees and bushes in our yards are simple ways to avoid luring bears into our communities.
Even birds, skunks and raccoons can be harmed by human trash. Plastic six-pack rings and handles from grocery bags can get caught around an animal’s body and they have no way to remove it. By simply cutting six-pack rings and grocery bag handles, this can be prevented.
Another hazard is small bits of food left in jars and containers. Skunks and raccoons are attracted to the food inside the jar and get stuck. Cleaning out all jars, cans and containers before we recycle or throw them in the trash can save an animal’s life.
As a club you can create a display or make an announcement to encourage students and teachers to do these simple things to help wild animals in your community.
Don’t forget to let us know what your club is doing. We would love to feature your club in Bark! or our High Paws web page. Want to start your own school club? Register now to receive your welcome package.
 Did you know that the BC SPCA has a wildlife rehabilitation centre? Wild ARC, located in Metchosin on Vancouver Island, has rehabilitated more than 31,000 raptors, mammals, amphibians and reptiles since 1997. This is a very specialized field of animal welfare requiring highly trained staff.
Trained volunteers and staff work tirelessly to help get these animals ready for release back into the wild. No animal who comes to Wild ARC will be kept in captivity permanently. Animals must learn to fend for themselves and have little interaction with humans.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, check out the interview with Christina Carrières in the latest issue of Bark!.
Learn more about Wild ARC and wildlife rescue, and download teacher resources.
Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.
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The BC SPCA has classroom resources for grades K-7. The lessons integrate animal issues and information into existing provincial learning outcomes.
Click on a lesson plan below to learn more.
Kindness counts
(Primary)
Bite free
(Primary/intermediate)
Making the right choice
(Intermediate)
You can make a difference
(Intermediate)
The farm-food connection
(Intermediate)
Cats in the community
(Intermediate)
Including animals in social justice
(Intermediate/Secondary)
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