Introducing Summer Pet Camp, Now at Shelters Near You

Published: Jun. 25, 2009
Subject: Pet Campers, Report to the Kennels
Category: Dog People's Choice

Kids today have it so good. So much for the tired pot-holder crafts and games of tag of our childhood summer camps, today’s kids go to Pet Camp. Now, all over the country, kids who love animals get to spend their summer days in their good company.

Thanks to local SPCAs and other humane organizations, lucky Pet Campers experience the joy of puppy petting and crafting kitty toys, the responsibility of kennel cleaning, and important lessons on honoring animal boundaries and personal space. There are even programs for older kids that get them behind the scenes with shelter veterinarians, and working with professional trainers to teach shelter dogs obedience and agility training.

There’s some big thinking behind this first-hand experience with animals in need. Ultimately, Pet Camps strive to teach compassion, respect and responsibility for all living things. They’re teaching our future animal advocates these values and enhancing their love and understanding of animals at the right time – an early age.

The shelter animal stars of Pet Camp aren’t complaining. All that delicious socialization and positive attention boosts their adoptability appeal (not to mention improves shelter life). No wonder they call them the dog days of summer.

Many camps fill up fast, but if the kids in your life aren’t enrolled yet, it’s probably not too late. Check out the websites below for details, dates, everything you need to know about just some of Pet Camps we found. To find more camps, check with your local humane organization or search online for ‘pet camp for kids’ or ‘SPCA summer camp.’

The Scoop:

Below are just some of the Pet Camps available for kids of all ages this summer, and many have programs year-round.

Houston SPCA
www.houstonspca.org/crittercamp

San Diego Humane Society
www.sdhumane.org/camp

SPCA Los Angeles
www.spcala.com/summercamp

San Francisco SPCA
www.SFSPCA.org/youthprograms

Humane Society Silicon Valley
www.hssv.org/camp

Sonoma Humane Society
www.sonomahumane.org/camp

East Bay SPCA
www.eastbayspca.org/animalcamp

SPCA of Westchester, New York
www.spca914.org/campcritter

New Hampshire SPCA
www.nhspca.org/education

Kentucky Humane Society
www.kyhumane.org/camp

Capital Area Humane Society, Michigan
www.cahs-lansing.org/camp

Thank you to Abner for the photo.

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