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March 2021
 In the Winter 2021 edition of Bark! readers can learn about youth taking action by raising awareness and fundraising for animals and shelters in their communities.
Also featured in this issue of Bark! is a look into the collaborative effort of BC SPCA animal protection officers, shelter staff and volunteer foster homes to help 97 animals in need. Mistreated and suffering from various health issues, the animals were able to recover and find loving, forever homes.
This issue also uncovers the pioneering work of Dr. Jane Goodall, who had the courage to speak up for animals when few others did. Students can get inspired by Dr. Goodall, or by the article explaining the harms caused by the illegal wildlife pet trade. They can also explore the ways in which the five freedoms are applied to farm animals when the weather is colder. Facts and stories fill this magazine, ensuring there is a new topic for any young animal advocate. Want to keep it on the lighter side? There is an animal crossword puzzle and informative interview with a beekeeper that is sure to create a buzz. Ha-bee learning!
If you are a teacher in BC and would like to receive a class set of this issue, send us an email including your school, grade and number of students, and we’ll send the issues directly to you.
You can also use Bark! to encourage students to create inquiry projects about animals by exploring a wide variety of animal issues.
Check out the complete issue of Bark! here.
All living things need food to survive, but the food needed by each living thing looks different! While humans might enjoy a delicious PB & J sandwich, plants need sunlight to make their food and every animal in BC has their own specific diet that they follow to survive.
With this month’s activity Food Chain Collage, students can learn how to create an eye-catching visual representation of a BC food chain from producer to prey. They will learn about the interconnectedness of the different living things (i.e., producers, prey, predators, and consumers) that make up a food chain, as well as the concept that all living things have similar needs to survive.
Take this activity a step further by having your students conduct their own research to learn about food chains outside of BC!
Read this month’s book review and ask your students: “If one part of the food chain is removed, how might that affect the rest of the living things within that food chain?”
This activity is best suited for youth ages 9-12.
Looking for more resources? Check out other activities for kids at home and lessons for school.
 The Great Kapok Tree
by Lynne Cherry
Reading Level: Kindergarten +
When a man falls asleep in the Amazon rainforest after exhausting himself trying to chop down a Kapok tree, the residents of the forest see this as the perfect opportunity to enlighten him. One by one, the creatures come to whisper into the man’s ear, asking him to spare their home. With each plea it becomes clear that the Kapok tree is central to the existence of many creatures in the rainforest, whether this is through its great branches and foliage providing a home or its extensive root system that holds the soil in place during heavy rainstorms. But it is also clear that the Kapok tree is dependent on the creatures of the forest, as “all living things depend on one another.” When the man awakens, he understands this interconnectedness and his responsibility to help preserve this unique environment for future generations, for “what happens tomorrow depends upon what you do today.”
Featuring beautiful illustrations by author Lynne Cherry, The Great Kapok Tree speaks to the importance of preserving the world’s rainforests, through highlighting the unique complexity of these ecosystems. Readers are sure to feel its heartfelt message and respond to its call to action to save our rainforests.
Read more reviews of our recommended books.
 The BC SPCA has seized 40 dogs from a West Kootenay sled dog operation outside of Salmo, BC. The animals were rescued and taken into BC SPCA care. There were a number of welfare concerns for the animals, including inadequate shelter, hypothermia, suspected dehydration and continuous repetitive behaviour witnessed in some of the dogs.
In 2012, the Province of British Columbia, veterinarians, the BC SPCA and the sled dog industry jointly created Canada’s first Sled Dog Code of Practice, which sets out standards of care for the health and welfare of sled dogs. Conditions on the property were in direct violation of some areas of the code.
The individual also operated an ad-hoc “behavioural modification” service and boarding on the property and a number of dogs in distress from these areas were among the 40 dogs removed.
Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.
 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.
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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)
We would love to know what you think of this newsletter. Do you use it regularly? Is there a topic you would like us to cover? Do you share it with others?
Please email us your
questions and comments.
Informational DVDs and BC SPCA merchandise available at shop.spca.bc.ca
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