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The beliefs that we hold about animals can impact their lives positively or negatively. The BC SPCA school presentation Including Animals in Social Justice (for grades 6 to 12) asks students to consider how we perceive and treat both animals and people in our society. After investigating what influences our attitudes and beliefs towards animals, students will examine how this relates to stereotypes and inequality among people. Beginning with a discussion around social justice related to animals allows students to ease into the more sensitive and personal topics of racism and stereotyping among people.

In the three-session Including Animals in Social Justice presentation, students will examine socially accepted norms that give rise to injustice and question what they can do to address them. Students will be inspired to take on a project to make our world a more just and equitable place for all living beings.

We’ll challenge students to consider:
• Do we treat all animals the same?
• Can you think of any idioms or common phrases involving animals (such as, kill two birds with one stone, are you chickening out)?
• Does the language that we use about these animals impact their lives?
• How can the way we think about animals have a real and lasting impact on their lives?

Book a presentation!

Additional BC SPCA lessons: We offer a range of animal welfare lessons and presentations, for every grade level, to help students develop empathy for all living things and turn enthusiasm about animals into a deeper commitment to helping animals in our world. Check out other BC SPCA class lessons and activities on our website.

Student Resources: Students can find information on animal-related topics ranging from pet overpopulation to animals in captivity by visiting our BC SPCA website at spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/take-action.

Excessive garbage ending up in the ocean has led to the unfortunate creation of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The majority of the garbage in the patch (which stretches for hundreds of kilometres across the northern Pacific Ocean) comes from land: plastic bags, bottles, etc. and free-floating fishing nets.

Items that we put in the garbage take different amounts of time to break down. When trash ends up in the ocean, it breaks down slowly and is often mistaken for food by many animals.

Our Trash Timeline Activity challenges students to match the trash with the correct amount of time it takes to break down! You might be amazed at some of the garbage that is still around.

Once the activity is completed, extend the learning by brainstorming ways to reduce waste such as using reusable water bottles, bringing your own reusable bag, buying in bulk, etc. There are so many wild and wonderful animals in our world, and they need our help to keep their habitats clean!

Looking for more resources? Check out other activities for kids at home and lesson plans for school!

Fur, Feather, Fin: All of Us are Kin
by Diane Lang, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Reading Level: Preschool-Grade 3

In Fur, Feather, Fin: All of Us are Kin, readers are taken on a journey through the different species that inhabit the Earth, celebrating what is unique about the diverse taxonomic classes all through fun rhyme. Starting with the big idea that “All animals on Earth are kin, while not the same outside or in,” readers learn about the interconnectedness of humans and animals. The book introduces the idea that some animals depend on us to meet their needs, while others thrive when we leave them alone.

This book’s colourful and detailed illustrations are thoughtfully paired with the text to build on and reinforce ideas introduced. An excellent example is the double-page spread where humans are grouped as mammals. Although the text is simple, it is paired with images of humans which show diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and the many ways that human families are defined, and makes for a great discussion point with students.

For readers and educators wanting to learn even more, the back of the book provides additional information on each class of animal, including tips on how we as humans can help these animals, and sources for further investigation for curious animal advocates.

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In the June issue of e-Teacher, we shared news of another COVID-19 outbreak on a mink farm in the Fraser Valley. We noted that the BC SPCA, along with other groups, was calling on the provincial government to end mink farming. We asked you to join the campaign and sign our petition.

Then, in the summer issue of Bark! magazine, we asked our youngest readers, “Is it time to end mink farming?” In Bark!, we described the animal welfare issues related to the treatment of mink, with spread of COVID-19 leading to even more suffering. We asked Bark! readers to write to their government representatives to voice their concerns.

Thousands of concerned citizens wrote letters and petitioned the government on this issue. And now, there’s good news. In November, the B.C. government announced a plan to phase out mink farming. Live mink on farms will be banned by April 2023, and the industry will be shut down completely by 2025.

In a statement after the government decision, Dr. Sara Dubois, the BC SPCA’s chief scientific officer, said, “We are grateful to every animal lover in B.C. who took the time to express their views on this important animal welfare matter.”

Would you like to be the voice of the BC SPCA in your school? We are looking to connect with a teacher in every school in the province to share information about new lessons, student opportunities and more. If you would like to be the teacher contact for your school, email us.