January 2014
Look for the next issue of Bark! magazine in your school library near the end of the month.
Looking for a new art project or constructive design project
that uses recycled materials? Then check out our Crafty Corner project on how to build a puzzle feeder for cats
using paper rolls and cardboard. Your students may be inspired to use their
creative talent to make other versions of companion animal toys or products
like our Hide, Perch & Go box
(see current event section).
Read about the scary but successful story of the rescue of
two dogs left in a dumpster in sub-zero weather and share cold weather tips to
keep animals safe and warm during the winter season.
If you are a teacher in British Columbia, and would like to
order a class set of this issue, please email
us. Be sure to include your name, number of students, grade, school name
and address and we’ll package them up and send them off for your class to
enjoy.
Remember, we appreciate any feedback on Bark! or any of our educational materials. If you have a suggestion
for a story or want to share a project by a student or your class, let us know.
KokoCat, Inside and
Out
Written by Lynda Graham-Barber
Illustrated by Nancy Lane
In KokoCat, Inside and
Out, Lynda Graham-Barber tells the story of KokoCat, an indoor cat who
lives a comfortable life with a nice family. So what happens when one day the
door opens and KokoCat’s curiosity takes her outside to explore? Quickly lost,
KokoCat experiences the life of an outdoor cat. Cold, hungry and alone, she
must fend for herself for the very first time. Will KokoCat get back home
again?
Fast-paced and featuring illustrations that beautifully
depict the difference between KokoCat’s indoor and outdoor experiences, this
story gives young readers an excellent opportunity to consider whether cats are
safer inside or outside.
KokoCat, Inside and
Out is suitable for Kindergarten to Grade 2.
Get
more BC SPCA book recommendations online.
Participate in National Cupcake Day and help the animals!
SPCAs and humane societies across Canada are encouraging
supporters to have some fun, eat cake and raise funds for animals in need. Your
club can be part of this national event. Just register online, bake and decorate,
then invite friends, family, teachers and classmates to make a donation for
each cupcake. National Cupcake Day is officially Feb. 24, but you can plan your
event for any time in February.
Here are some tips for a successful Cupcake Day at school:
- Make
sure you get permission from your teacher.
- Tell
your parents or guardians to be prepared for a bit of baking; schools have
lots of kids who love cupcakes.
- Decorate
the school with the posters you receive in your Cupcake Host Welcome Package which will be mailed to you
upon registration.
- Dress
up as your favourite animal or your favourite cupcake flavour.
- Hold a
competition with an entry fee of a loonie or toonie to see who bakes and
decorates the most unique cupcake.
- Have a
taste-off with the teachers as judges – or maybe the students could judge
the teachers’ baking skills!
- Check out what some school club kids did
last year.
At the BC
SPCA we are proud of our achievements to improve animal welfare. One of the
ways we have seen dramatic improvement to shelter cat welfare is through the
use of the Hide, Perch & Go box, developed by animal welfare scientist and
former staff member Dr. Nadine Gourkow. Not only has this box saved
thousands of cats from unnecessary stress in the shelter and made their
transition to new homes more comfortable, it has now been awarded the
prestigious animal welfare award from International Cat Care.
Read
more about the process of its development through research and observation
to several prototypes and adjustments to the final product and other issues to
discuss with your class.
|