June 2013

As the school year ends you may already be starting to think about your classroom goals for next year. Why not incorporate some animal themes for the 2013/14 school year?

We have highlighted some of the articles featured in our Bark! and AnimalSense magazines on the Animal Issues section of our website. This is a great place for students and teachers to find materials for projects that have been well-researched by our own animal experts.

We also have classroom lessons available for order online, two with accompanying educational DVDs. Check out our Cluck! video on our YouTube channel and email us if you would like a copy of the classroom lessons that expand on this video.  

Get a jump-start on your planning by spending some time this summer cruising these and other pages on our website for new, innovative ways to meet Ministry of Education standards while incorporating animal themes.

Catboy by Eric Walters

Catboy tells the story of Taylor, who has recently moved from a small northern town to the diverse metropolis of Toronto. Everything in the city is new to Taylor, including a feral cat colony he discovers when taking a shortcut through the junkyard with his new friend, Simon.

Taylor, called Catboy by an older bully, quickly takes an interest in the cat colony. And when a new condominium development threatens the cats’ survival, he vows to come up with a solution. Along the way, Taylor gets support from his mom, his classmates, his teacher, a group of feral cat volunteers and the junkyard security guard, Mr. Singh.

Structured in a way that allows the reader to learn along with the protagonist, Catboy touches on some important information regarding feral cat colonies, as well as the issue of anthropomorphizing animals. Unfortunately, it neglects to discuss the sterilization of feral cats or their effect on wild birds, both issues that could be raised in classroom discussions of the story.

While focusing the novel’s plot on Taylor and the cat colony, the author also intersperses messages about cultural diversity, gentrification and the question of morality vs. legality – all of which offer the possibility of further critical thinking and discussion.

Overall, Catboy offers a page-turning and thought-provoking read to students in grades 4 and up. 

Read more BC SPCA book recommendations

This school year almost over, but we have one last project for school club members.

Send us pictures of your events from the past year along with a brief write-up about each event.

Your photo may be chosen to be featured in the fall issue of Bark!. 

Bringing a shelter animal into your home can be a life-changing experience.

Even if you missed our “End the Wait” campaign in May, you can still watch our new video celebrating the joy of pet adoption and guardianship.

Throughout the video, you will see how long some of our past residents have been loved by their new families. Who knows? Maybe you will be inspired to find a new companion for your family this summer.

Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.

Kindness Counts
(for K- Gr. 2)

Companions for Life
(Gr. 3-5)

You Can Make a Difference
(Gr. 5-7)

  Cluck - The life of an egg-laying hen (Gr. 4-6)

  Bite Free (K - Gr. 5)

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On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.