Humane Education

Essential to our mission is education. Pet problems can most often be the result of people problems. Education is the key to eliminating many of the problems associated with pet owner ignorance, pet behavior issues, community misconceptions, and legal issues relating to neglect/abuse.

Respect and compassion for creatures less able to care for themselves is everyone’s responsibility. Even those who don’t own or don’t particularly like pets have a responsibility to treat all creatures with kindness and to instill in their children the importance of doing the same. The worth of mankind is reflected in his treatment of animals.

Our humane education program is available to all age groups. This program includes presentations, shelter tours, community events, speakers’ bureau, resource library, informational handouts, and reproducible information available for pet owners concerning health, temperament and training questions.

Classroom

Our classroom education goal is to promote the concept of humane treatment of all creatures, human and non-human alike. Compassion is crucial lesson in a world desperately in need of kindness and one to be learned at an early age.

Classroom presentations and tours are offered to all area schools. Age-specific lessons are available to each grade level, pre-school though high school. Humane Society staff members can be scheduled to present humane lessons or teachers themselves can access online lesson plans to incorporate into classroom agendas.

Sites for teachers and others interested in teaching children the responsible, humane treatment of animals.

Humane Education Lesson Plans

Printable copies of lesson plans for all school-age groups.

National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE)

Includes reveiws of kids' books and movies with humane themes, a "research and evaluation" section with results of surveys and studies on humane education and a shopping cart of humane education materials.

Other great sites developed just for kids.

Kids and Dogs

Helps guide children through the responsibilities required for dog ownership.

Humane Teen Helps teens become involved in animal protection offering step-by-step projects, message boards, and a study/activity guide on issues affecting companion animals.

KIND News Features the "KIND Clubhouse" with interactive games and projects for kids. The latest game, "Joe Sly, Private Eye" has kids go through a neighborhood to correct animal-related problems.

These are more excellent lesson plans for kids developed by Connie Reiten of the Circle of Friends Humane Society education staff.

How Animals Help People - Grades 1-3

Do Animals Have Feelings - Grades 4-6

Saving The Rain Forest - Grades 4-7

The Effects of Pollution - Elementary Students

To schedule a presentation or a shelter tour, please call 701-775-3732 or email gfhumane@yahoo.com

Community

Community education is an equally important service provided to the area. We are always pleased to schedule tours for community groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, senior citizens, day care programs, after school programs, youth at risk programs, and service groups.

We also participate in community events such as the Lifestyles Expo, Seniors’ Wellness Fair, Summerthing, Job Service Helping Hands Day Camp, UND Earth Day, and a variety of other community activities.

To schedule tours or community events please call 701-775-3732 or email gfhumane@yahoo.com.

Once again our hope is to instill the importance of kindness and compassion, present information about the humane society and its services and encourage the concept of giving and involvement with community organizations.

Pet Health, Behavior & Training Tips

Health, temperament and behavior problems are the main reasons animals are relinquished to animal shelters nationwide. Before you decide to sell or give away your pet or relinquish your pet to a shelter we urge you to reconsider your decision. You are your pet’s best hope. If the person who cares the most about your pet is unwilling or unable to cope with the problem, what is the likelihood that someone else will want to accept that responsibility?

Use the resources available on our site as well as those sites listed on the Pet Care page. Talk to your vet. Read books concerning behavior/health problems. Call or email us for advice on pet problems, 701-775-3732.

For more information see our Pet Care and Training page.