The Humane Society for Southwest Washington shelters between 10,000 and 13,000 homeless and abused animals every year but the work we do for the animals and our community extends far beyond the doors of our animal shelter. Through our Humane Education and Outreach programs, we help raise awareness about local and national animal welfare issues and use hands-on, engaging programming to foster a well-educated community that strives to treat all animals with compassion and respect.
We offer a variety of Humane Education and Outreach programs, many of which utilize very special animal ambassadors; so that we may best accommodate the needs of our community. From early childhood programs to summer camps, classroom presentations and facility tours, our programs are designed to engage participants while reinforcing lessons of compassion, kindness and respect.
Please take a moment to read through the current Humane Education and Outreach offerings below. Because our programs vary seasonally, be sure to check back frequently for updated information about our programs and services.
If you have a question regarding our Humane Education and Outreach programs, email us.
Download the current Classes, Camps and Programs brochure. Click Here .
For toddlers ages 3-5 and their parents/guardians. Programs introduce participants to basic Humane Education themes while promoting development and social interaction skills. Each program focuses on a different theme and includes and story, craft or other activity and a live animal encounter. All programs are offered from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Humane Society's Animal Shelter in East Vancouver (unless otherwise noted below).
Sizzlin' summer special! Classes now only $5
$10.00 per parent/child pair
$2.00 for additional parent or child
Limited to 10 child/adult pairs. Registration preferred. Call 360.213.2630 to register.
Playful Pups
This class has gone to the dogs! Learn all about man’s best friend and safe ways for your toddler to interact with those lovable canines. Enjoy a dog related story and craft before meeting a very special canine companion.
Monday - August 16th
Feathered Friends
Learn all about our fine feathered friends and enjoy a bird related story and craft before meeting a very special feathered friend.
Friday - August 27th
Animal Doctors
Explore the world of animal medicine with your toddler and play shelter doctor before meeting a special shelter resident. Participants are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal friend from home for the class activity.
Programs for Animal Crusaders
For kids ages 6-10. Programs use hands-on, interactive activities to teach participants about animal related topics and promote kindness and compassion. Each program focuses on a different Humane Education theme and may include a combination of craft, activity, guest presentation and live animal encounter. All programs are conducted at the Humane Society's Animal Shelter in east Vancouver, unless otherwise noted.
Parents are welcome to attend with their child. Those parents choosing to drop off their child will be required to adhere to a security check in/out process.
Sizzlin' summer special! Classes now only $5
$10.00 per child, $2.00 for additional child
$8.00 for Kids’ Club Members
Registration preferred. Call 360.213.2630 to register.
Sunday - July 25th: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Cancelled
Taking Flight
Learn about our fine, feathered friends and what makes them so special in the animal world. Then create your own fantastic flyer before meeting a very special feathered ambassador
Sunday - August 22nd, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Animal Enrichment
Learn about different ways to keep our animal friends active and engaged. Learn why it is important to have treats and activities for your pets at home, then get a chance to make special treats for the shelter animals.
Programs for Wild Explorers
For kids ages 11-14. Programs use hands-on, interactive activities to teach participants about animal related topics and promote kindness and compassion. Each program focuses on a different Humane Education theme and may include a combination of craft, activity, guest presentation and live animal encounter. All programs are conducted at the Humane Society's Animal Shelter in east Vancouver, unless otherwise noted.
Parents are welcome to attend with their child. Those parents choosing to drop off their child will be required to adhere to a security check in/out process.
Sizzlin' summer special! Classes now only $5
$10.00 per child, $2.00 for additional child
$8.00 for Kids’ Club Members
Registration preferred. Call 360.213.2630 to register.
Sunday - July 25th: 12:00pm - 1:00pm Cancelled
Taking Flight
Learn about our fine, feathered friends and what makes them so special in the animal world. Then create your own fantastic flyer before meeting a very special feathered ambassador.
Sunday - August 22nd: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Trainin’ Canines
Get tips and tricks from professional animal trainers on how to successfully training your dog. Then, practice your techniques on each other before trying your hand at a shelter dog.
Humane Society Summer Critter Camps
There are a
limited amount of partial scholarships available for the 2010 Critter Camp
programs. Partial scholarships reduce to total cost of the camp session to
$75.00. Scholarships apply to the camp fee only and do not cover extended care
options.
To apply for a partial scholarship, please send your name, address,
phone number, email and a 1-2 page essay describing why your camper deserves
the scholarship. Please also include the camper's name, age and the week of
camp your camper wishes to attend.
Application materials can be sent to our education offices at 1100 NE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684 or by email to education@southwesthumane.org.
Applications
for partial scholarships must be received by Monday, July 12, 2010.
Furry Friends Critter Camp
For kids entering 3rd and 4th grade
July 19th - July 23rd: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Campers will be introduced to a wide variety of animal related topics including dog safety, responsible pet ownerships, animal training, veterinary practices and an exploration of animal related careers. Critter camp combines games, activities, guest speakers and animal interactions to help foster kindness and compassion and promote civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. Camp registration fee includes healthy snacks but campers must bring their own lunch. All campers will receive a Critter Camp t-shirt.
$150.00 per child
$125.00 for Kids’ Club Members
Extended care is offered from 9-10am and from 3-4pm for an additional $12 per day or $50 for the entire week of camp. Critter camps are conducted by Humane Society staff and volunteers. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is not a licensed day care provider.
To register, please call 360.213.2630. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and is not confirmed until full payment is received. Camp sessions are limited to 15 campers.
Animal Adventures Critter Camp
For kids entering 5th and 6th grade
Session 1: August 2nd - August 6th: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Session 2: August 9th - August 13th: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Registration limited to one week per camper only.
Campers will be introduced to a wide variety of animal related topics including dog safety, responsible pet ownerships, animal training, veterinary practices and an exploration of animal related careers. Critter camp combines games, activities, guest speakers and animal interactions to help foster kindness and compassion and promote civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. Camp registration fee includes healthy snacks but campers must bring their own lunch. All campers will receive a Critter Camp t-shirt.
$150.00 per child
$125.00 for Kids’ Club Members
Extended care is offered from 9-10am and from 3-4pm for an additional $12 per day or $50 for the entire week of camp. Critter camps are conducted by Humane Society staff and volunteers. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is not a licensed day care provider.
To register, please call 360.213.2630. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and is not confirmed until full payment is received. Camp sessions are limited to 15 campers.
Humane Society Kids' Club
Calling all Kids! The Humane Society for Southwest Washington has a new and exclusive Kids’ Club designed especially for kids ages 6-14. Becoming a Kids’ Club member is a fun and exciting way to learn about animals - from responsible pet ownership to wild and exotic creatures. The Humane Society Kids’ Club helps kids build a foundation of knowledge and promotes kindness and compassion.
A one-time membership fee of $25.00 includes the following:
An Official Kids’ Cub T-shirt
An Official Fun Pack Loaded with Cool Kids’ Club Items
Quarterly Kids’ Club Newsletter
Discounted Admission to Humane Society Education Programs
To register for the Humane Society Kids’ Club, download the registration form or call us at 360.213.2630.
Programs for classrooms
Be Doggone Safe! Classroom Presentations
The Be Doggone Safe program introduces elementary school students (grades K-5) to the safe and respectful way to meet and interact safely with dogs. With the assistance of temperament approved therapy animals, the program incorporates written, oral, modeling and kinesthetic teaching practices to engage children and facilitate an active learning environment that helps promote safe humane-animal interactions. Programs are conducted in the classroom or school assembly space, are age-appropriate and typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour. Scheduling is on a first-come-first-served basis and may vary seasonally.
The Be Doggone Safe program is offered free of charge but donations are greatly appreciated (for a list of greatly needed donation items, please check our shelter wish list).
To request a Be Doggone Safe program for your classroom, please call our Humane Education and outreach team at 360.241.7152.
Read to the Dogs
The Read to the Dogs program utilizes Pet Facilitated Therapy animals to provide a calm and fun learning environment for school aged children in the height of developing their reading skills (typically grades 1-3 but opportunities for higher grades are available). Our therapy animals visit with students in the classroom or resource/library area and provide a patient, understanding and non-judgmental outlet for kids to practice their reading skills. Our therapy animals are a patient and forgiving audience and do not care if students stammer or pronounce words incorrectly. The Read to the Dogs program encourages each student to practice reading freely, openly and confidently.
The Read to the Dogs program is scheduled on a case-by-case basis and is dependent on the schedules of our Pet Facilitated Therapy volunteers. Visits are typically scheduled on an ongoing basis for the duration of the school year. The Read to the Dogs program is offered free of charge but donations are greatly appreciated (for a list of greatly needed donation items, please check our shelter wish list).
To request a Read to the Dogs program for your classroom, please call our Humane Education and outreach team at 360.241.7152.
Shelter Tours
Behind-the-Scenes shelter tours are perfect for scout troops, school groups, community organizations or anyone who wants to learn more about the day-to-day operations of a high volume animal shelter. Tour groups visit both public and non-public areas of our 30,000 square foot facility and have the opportunity to interact with some of the shelter’s very special residents. Tours cover the history, goals and mission of the Humane Society and give participants a true perspective on sheltering homeless and abused animals.
All tours are conducted on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. Tours last approximately 30-45 minutes depending on the age and size of the tour group.
Tour groups are limited to a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 15 (including chaperones). Groups larger than 15 individuals will need to schedule separate tours. To help ensure a quality learning environment, we ask that there is 1 adult chaperone per 5 children under the age of 18..
Because we are a non-profit organization, we ask that each tour group provides a donation to the Humane Society in the amount of $5.00 per person (including chaperones) which helps support the animals and provide for further Humane Education and Outreach Programs.
Ready to take a tour? Please call our Humane Education and Outreach team at 360.241.7152. Requests for tours are not guaranteed. An animal shelter is a very dynamic environment and we do our best to accommodate the needs of each group. Tours must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance and walk-ins are not accommodated.
Adult Lecture Series (ALS)
The Humane Society for Southwest
Washington is proud to announce it's new Adult Lecture Series
(ALS). Offered the fourth Thursday of every month, the ALS provides a forum for
community members to expand their knowledge base while meeting professional
leaders in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, wildlife studies, environmental
conservation and more.
The ALS is a free community resource and all
lectures are held at the Education and Community room at the Humane Society for
Southwest Washington: 1100 NE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver 98684. Registration is not required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thursday, June 24th - 6:30pm-7:30pm
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington
presents "Vaccinations; Just the Facts", a lecture by Dr. Katelyn
Carney from Banfield
Pet Hospital.
Dr. Carney will speak about vaccinations for household pets covering myths and
facts, benefits, risks and much more. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Thursday, July 22nd - 6:30pm-7:30pm
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington presents "Local Wildlife Wisdom", a
lecture by Erin Klingler of the Klingler Family Ranch. For the past 4 years, the
Klinglers have worked in conjunction with the Clark County Fish and Wild Life
Department to rescue, rehabilitate and release local wildlife. Come learn about
the variety of local wildlife, their behavior, needs and what to do if you find
a baby wild animal.
Thursday, August 26th - TBA
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington presents "The Truth About Bully Breeds", a
lecture by Humane Society Staff and representatives from the Pacific Northwest Pit Bull Rescue organization. Come learn the facts and myths about bully breeds and how they can make a wonderful addition to any family.
