Rural Animal Rescue Effort (RARE): Build-A-Bear Youth Humane Education Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Laptop for presentations
Projector for presentations
Supplies for education workshops
Training and certification for therapy dogs

As a result of the Build A Bear Youth Education Grant, we have been able to perform presentations during our Youth Education Workshops and we will begin presenting to schools in the fall of 2018. The main objective of our youth education program is to bring awareness regarding humane treatment of animals, spay/neuter, adoption and volunteering to the young people of our communities. Our focus is on the most rural areas of Tennessee, as the overpopulation there is the highest. As we educate towards animal "guardianship" rather than animal "ownership," our youth begin to value companion animals as part of their families. We believe that education starts with our youth. The Build A Bear Youth Education Grant is helping us to grow our education program and allowing us to purchase tools that are enhancing our presentations and program overall. The attendees of our workshops have added enrichment and socialization for the animals in our care. We will also have one of our adoptable dogs (and possibly a cat and rabbit as well!) become a therapy animal this summer to attend our school presentations.

How many pets did this grant help?

4

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

During our youth-education workshops, children are learning appropriate handling of animals and how to provide proper care as animal guardians. We also have enrichment sections of the workshops, with puppy playtime and socialization with children in order for both children and puppies to learn how to play appropriately. One child claimed to be the “dog whisperer,” as she had all of the puppies from a group following her around like the pied piper. Another gained confidence as he and Carlo the cat (fourth and fifth photos) became friends in the cattery. Unfortunately, the family’s dog was not cat-friendly, but we are still hoping that, by word of mouth, Carlo will find his furever home!

From Carlo’s Petfinder profile: “Hi, I’m Carlo, a.k.a. the friendliest cat on the planet! I just love being around people and getting attention. I will help you do your housework, watch TV with you and take naps. I was fortunate enough to be rescued by RARE from [an open-admission] shelter in a rural town in Tennessee. I would make a loving addition to any home, and hope to meet my new forever family soon!” Meet him: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/41276423