Raising awareness of our responsibility to our companion animals has always been a priority of the Santa Barbara Humane Society. Since 1949, we have been offering Humane Education presentations to local preschool and elementary schools. The information included in our classroom presentations allows students to gain empathy and respect for all living things, including each other. Students are actively engaged during the presentations, and participation by every student is encouraged. The presentations are tailored to children from preschool through sixth grade, are age-appropriate, and meet the state-mandated requirements for teaching Humane Education.

Pet Animals and You, for preschool and kindergarten classes, helps students realize that we have the same basic needs as pets! The children learn that having a pet is a big responsibility and that we need to have all the supplies at home for them so they will be happy and healthy. Students are shown each item in our pet care bag to help them learn what they too should have at home for their pets. During this and all the other presentations, the students will learn about safe behavior when meeting a new dog through hands-on participation. Presentation length is 20-30 minutes.

Pet Pals 1, for first and second graders, focuses on learning the differences between wild animals and domestic animals. With the use of visual aids, students participate in a discussion about why wild animals belong in their own natural habitat and not as pets. Students also realize that our pets need us to be their "Pet Pal" and that it is a big responsibility to have a pet. Students review some of the things they can do to make sure their pets are healthy and happy. Presentation length is 30-45 minutes.

Pet Pals 2, for first and second graders who already participated in "Pet Pals 1", focuses on learning about pets' feelings and how they communicate through body language. Presentation length is 30-45 minutes.

Problems and Solutions for Pets, for third and fourth graders, takes a more in depth look at some of the problems that pets may face. Students participate in a discussion on animal neglect and abuse, abandonment, and pet overpopulation. Through learning about these problems, students can also find ways in which they can help animals with these issues. The importance of spaying and neutering is also discussed. Presentation length is 45 minutes.

Responsible Pet Ownership, for fifth and sixth graders, helps students recognize the plight of homeless animals nationwide and why so many are given up. Students discuss the Humane Society's adoption process and then generate criteria that potential adopters should meet. Students participate in an activity where they try to match the right person with the right pet and the right pet with the right person. Presentation length is 45 minutes.

Endangered Species, for third through sixth graders, heightens awareness of long-term problems in nature created by human intervention. Discussion is focused on the causes and prevention of wildlife endangerment and extinction. Presentation length is 45 minutes.

To schedule a presentation for your classroom, please call the Santa Barbara Humane Society's Education Department at 964-4777 x17, or you may download our Schedule Request Form by clicking here.

The Santa Barbara Humane Society invites you and your students to visit our facility and learn more about what we do by scheduling a guided tour. The tour begins in our Education Center, where we use visual aids to discuss what the Humane Society does and why we have the animals here for adoption. We then take a tour of the property and see our adoption animals, clinic, boarding facilities and the surrounding grounds. The length of the tour is approximately one hour. To schedule a guided tour, please call the Education Department at 964-4777 x17.

The Santa Barbara Humane Society has been offering a summer "Critter Camp" since 2004 for children between the ages of nine and eleven, or those entering fourth through sixth grade. The camp is a unique program that appeals to kids who love animals and would like to learn more about them. Critter camp gives children the opportunity to have fun learning about companion animal care and the humane treatment of all animals. Our activities include visits with the adoption animals, lessons and activities on caring for animals and animal behavior, crafts, videos, games, and much more! Camp is held in our Education Center, which has lots of space to allow for many activities. Each day has a particular animal-related theme and the activities, crafts, books, videos, and games correspond with the day's theme. Some of the highlights for our campers are playing "Animal Jeopardy", making catnip toys for the cats, and baking peanut butter dog biscuits from scratch in our on-site kitchen! The campers also enjoy our daily craft projects, such as making animal collages and bird feeders. For more information, please call (805) 964-4777.

The Santa Barbara Humane Society also offers small group tours of our facility for adults in the community. These tours will focus more on the history of the Humane Society and services we provide for the community followed by a walk around the property, pointing out the different areas of the facility and viewing the adoption animals.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit our beautiful 5-acre facility on Overpass Road. You may stop in anytime during our operating hours (M-Sa, 10am-5pm) just to browse, visit the animals, enjoy a picnic, or to take advantage of our many excellent services. Flyers, publications, and displays throughout the shelter provide many educational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. You may also schedule a tour for your school or community group, by calling (805) 964-4777 ext. 17.