Humane Education

Humane Education is not a new concept at all. As early as 1933, the National P.T.A. Congress issued the following statement in support of humane education:

^{"Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations with each other. Character training along these lines will result in men and women of broader sympathies, more humane, more law-abiding - in every respect more valuable citizens.
Humane education is teaching in the schools and colleges of the nations the principles of justice, goodwill, and humanity toward all life. The cultivation of the spirit of kindness to animals is but the starting point towards that larger humanity which includes one's fellow of every race. A generation of people trained in these principles will solve their international difficulties as neighbors and not as enemies."}

The Peoria Humane Society carries on the tradition of educating our young people to be humane and compassionate to all beings, knowing that kind acts can influence us all. Support us in our efforts to create a humane world.

The Peoria Humane Society continues to partner up with schools throughout the Peoria area to provide quality educational programs that teach young people that treating all living beings with kindness, compassion, and respect is the most responsible way to live. Our school presentations emphasize proper pet care, bite prevention & animal safety, pet overpopulation & animal cruelty prevention, and wild animal respect. For more than 70 years we have been dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and neglect to animals and we proudly offer educational opportunities to benefit people and animals in Peoria County.

Come See Our Education Center!

Come see the interactive area in the Education Center that will encourage visiting children, through creative play, to consider the needs and responsibilities of pets.

The "Pets & People" display includes a large pet overpopulation mural and storybooks to further convey the message that pets need responsible owners.

We have expanded the Peoria Humane Society's Resource Library. Additions to the library include new books, videos and pamphlets on animal care/treatment and environmental issues for people of all ages. All of the materials ordered were funded by a grant from the Muntwyler Foundation.

Education Programs - Find Upcoming Education Programs

For more information on education programs and upcoming dates please email education@peoriahs.org or call (309) 494-8171.

After School Programs
Kids & Critters Club (5th-8th grade)

Outreach Programs
Animal Tales Traveling Library
Paws to Read - Reading to Dogs Program
Animal Resource Library
Tours of PAWS

Summer Programs
Animals Aloud Story Time (Preschool -3rd grade)
Kids & Critters Camp (5th-8th grade)
Animal Welfare Camp (High School)

• Animal Tales - Traveling Animal Library
  The Peoria Humane Society is offering a traveling animal library. Animal Tales serves as an outreach to Peoria area children who are unable to experience our animal resource library in person. We recognize that many young readers who would benefit from reading humane books about animals are unable to visit our library due to transportation challenges beyond their control. We want to help area children read and learn about animals without having to worry about coming to us. A variety of award winning fiction and non-fiction books are included in our traveling collection that is available to area agencies. The children will receive a special paperback to keep for their very own. What great way to encourage a love of reading and animals! Our Animal Tales is available to schools and other child care agencies by contacting our Resource Library at 309-494-8171. Simply call us today to schedule a visit! We look forward to sharing our library with you. Animal Tales was made possible in 2005/2006 by a grant from the Muntwyler Foundation.
  
  
• Paws to Read - Reading to Dogs Program
  The Peoria Humane Society is offering a reading to dogs program for children over 8 years who love dogs and want to practice their reading skills. The Paws to Read program was started in March of 2005 as a way to help children develop their literacy skills and enjoy the companionship of a canine friend. The children are partnered with registered and trained therapy dogs, allowing them to relax and enjoy reading and build their confidence in reading out loud. Our hope is to instill a love of reading in young people while fostering friendships between kids and dogs! Children can bring their favorite book from home or choose one from our large selection in the Animal Resource Library. The reading sessions are scheduled throughout the year at the Education Center at PAWS, Lakeview Library, and Peoria Heights Library. Please contact our Resource Library at 494-8171 to register for upcoming Paws to Read programs.
  Testimonial about the program
  
  

  Upcoming dates:
  January 23 @ 10 am Chillicothe Library
  February 27 @ 1pm Washington Library
  March 13 @ 2 pm McClure Library
  April 24 @ 11 am Morton Library
  May 15 @ 1 pm Peoria Heights Library
  June 5 @ 1pm Barnes & Noble

Learning at the Resource Library

The Peoria Humane Society encourages pet owners to learn as much as possible about any animal they would consider bringing into their home. Pets should be treated as part of the family and cared for appropriately. We realize that different companion animals require different care and it is always in the best interest of the pet to have owners plan ahead and research the pet's specific needs prior to joining the family. One way to learn about pets and their needs is to read books from the public library or even your school library. Additionally the Peoria Humane Society has an Animal Resource Library located in the Education Center at PAWS that is open to the public. Local veterinarians and pet supply stores can also be a resource on pet selection, care and handling.

Feline Friends
Cats are currently the most popular pet in the United States, with dogs coming in second. Our feline friends deserve love, attention and understanding. By learning common kitty behavior, you and your feline friend will both benefit!

Have you ever asked yourself, "why does my cat do that?" One such question is, "why do cats meow anyway?" Cat meows can mean many things. A meow could be your cat's way of saying "hello, I'm hungry, I'm feeling playful, I'm nervous, or leave me alone - I'm upset!" Different tones and different sounds mean different things! Listen to your cat and pay attention to their different vocalizations - try to guess what they are saying to you. Spend time with your companion, you will learn so much!

If a feline friend is in your future, you may enjoy learning more about cats with one of the following selections of books:

• Why Do Cats Meow? by Joan Holub
• The True-or-False Book on Cats by Patricia Lauber
• How to Talk to Your Cat by Jean Craighead George

Contact the Peoria Humane Society's Education Center at 309-494-8171 for more information on pet care, selection, and behavior.

Book Endowment Fund - Support the Library!
The Peoria Humane Society has established a Book Endowment Fund. Our Resource Library is filled with videos, books, and pamphlets on a variety of animal topics. In a continued effort to provide humane education to area students, the Education Department at the Peoria Humane Society has reviewed and selected a number of books that have a humane theme and are age appropriate for young people to read. These selected books meet or surpass our standards for humane content. A contribution of $15 will allow us to purchase a book for our library in the name of the donor or in memory of someone the donor designates. Each $15 donation toward the resource library will be recognized in the Peoria Humane Society's Pawprints newsletter and books purchased will have a donor name label inside.

If you are interested in a list of approved and selected book titles, please contact our Humane Educator at 494-8171.

Donations to the Book Endowment Fund can be sent to the Peoria Humane Society, P.O. Box 3592, Peoria, IL, 61612-3592.