February 2010

Dear Educator,,

I hope you enjoy the February 2010 issue of the BC SPCA e-Teacher newsletter.

If you'd like to invite the BC SPCA into your classroom, visit you local branch website for more information on what's available in your area. 

Also, if you know of others in the education industry who would benefit from learning about what the BC SPCA has to offer please take a moment to forward this newsletter. Together, we can help the leaders of tomorrow make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

Sincerely,

Paula Neuman
Humane Education Supervisor

The latest edition of Bark!, the BC SPCA Kids Club magazine, is now available.

Thinking of adding a small animal to your family? In this issue you will learn where pet store small animals come from, about small animals available at the BC SPCA and which small animal is right for you and your family.

Look for this issue in your library or order a class set of this issue by email and include your name, number of students, grade, school name and address.

Guinea Pigs Don't Read Books
by Colleen Stanley Bare

This is a good book to introduce young children to the guinea pig. It reinforces the idea that these small animals are not toys and shouldn't be dressed up but they can be gentle, calm animals that can be a great companion if treated kindly

The pictures are of real guinea pigs and are very cute. So cute in fact you may be tempted to adopt one. If you do, don't forget to make the BC SPCA your First Adoption Option.

This cage is too small (above).

This habitat is spacious (below).

Take a look at the latest issue of Bark! and brush up on your small animal knowledge. Common mistakes people make when getting a small animal are buying a cage that is too small, or not equipping it with the right materials to keep those critters happy.

Are there teachers who have small animals in their classroom? Do an informal investigation of small animals in your school. If a teacher could use some help improving his or her small animal's habitat help them out. Share the information you learned and make that little critter one happy camper.

Don't forget to register your school animal club (.pdf download) to receive the official BC SPCA School Club welcome package and regular updates. Click here for more information.

Pepper, a starving, sweet pit bull has had a very tough life. While pregnant she was hit by a car and broke her pelvis. When the owner refused to take her to the vet, she was surrendered to the BC SPCA where she will receive the necessary care to fix her pelvis and deliver her six puppies. 

Pepper has a very sweet demeanor and will have a lengthy recovery but she will get the treatment she deserves. Not only will she get her pelvis repaired she will have to have a C-section to deliver her pups. Pepper has stolen the hearts of all the staff and volunteers at the Nanaimo branch, as well as the foster family who is caring for her until she goes into labour.

For more information on this and other BC SPCA news items that you may want to include in class discussions, click here.