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April 2017
 With three speaking engagements in B.C., as part of her Birthday Tour, Dr. Jane Goodall continues to educate and inspire people young and old. Her long career as a scientist, author, advocate and educator has opened the eyes of the world to the similarities between humans and animals. Through her lectures and books she hopes to make people question the use of animals in research, for food and entertainment.
Take a tour with Dr. Jane, through Google Earth, to make a connection with the work, animals and places that changed her life. The tour can be made interactive by integrating geographic landscapes with videos of chimp tool use, or go to the Gombe forest and stare into the eyes of our closest living relatives. This is a unique way to explore the places that were essential to Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking research, which changed the world’s view of animals forever.
To Be a Cat
By Matt Haig, illustrated by Stacy Curtis
Ages 8-12
Twelve-year-old Barney Willow is feeling rather glum. The neighbourhood bully won’t leave him alone, and the evil school principal has it out for him, but he doesn’t know why. Not only that, Barney is still trying to understand why his parents got a divorce, and since then, why his dad outright disappeared more than a year ago. Barney can only imagine that life would be a lot simpler if he could live as a cat, but when this wish comes true, he quickly discovers that life as a cat is far from uncomplicated…
Written with humour and full of adventure, To Be a Cat will keep students engaged from cover to cover. Readers are challenged to consider the feelings and experiences of the characters, human and animal alike. This book affirms the importance of treating animals with kindness, while also ultimately celebrating being oneself and being happy with who you are.
Get more BC SPCA book recommendations online.
Next month is Be Kinds to Animals Month. Why not make it special by inviting a guest speaker to your class or club meeting? Here are some suggestions for guest speakers.
Pets: Agility club, Local SPCA, Assistance/therapy animals, Pet first aid
Wildlife: Wildlife rehabilitator, Conservation officer, Environmental organization, Beekeeper
Careers with pets: Groomer, Vet or vet technician, Animal Protection Officer (SPCA), Police Canine Unit, Farmer
 The strongest sentence for animal cruelty, nine months in jail, was handed down by a Vernon judge this week. Gary Roberts, was found guilty of animal cruelty in December 2016 and was then sentenced in March of this year to a 20-year prohibition on owning animals, four months house arrest and a nine-month conditional sentence.
Roberts violated conditions of his sentence and a warrant was issued for his arrest. This breach of his sentencing conditions is what prompted the longest jail sentence related to an animal cruelty case in B.C. history. This should serve as a deterrent for other offenders who disregard court orders in animal abuse cases.
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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