Humane Education Program
Our Mission: To foster compassion, kindness and respect for companion animals through humane education of Oconee County youth and adults.
Our Vision: A Better World Through Kindness to Animals (As Humane Education Ambassadors of Best Friends Animal Society) Our Values: Inspire the next generation to be more aware of companion animals' needs and to advocate for their improved quality of life
Speak for mixed breed animals to elevate their status, increase acceptance and reduce euthanasia
Advance the highest standards in animal welfare to create a more humane world for companion animals
Provide knowledgeable resources and innovative education opportunities for Oconee County youth and adults.
Programs Available to the Oconee County CommunityI Read to AnimalsThis program, developed by the Best Friends Animal Society, is available through our appointment to their Humane Education Ambassador Program. Sessions are typically conducted in public libraries or schools with youth between the ages of 5-12, in groups of fifteen to twenty children. Each child can read to a registered therapy animal from SCDogs Therapy Group. At the conclusion of the session, each child will receive coloring books and/or workbooks from the American Kennel Club.
Girl Scout and Boy Scout Pet Badges
Our volunteers are prepared to provide resource and guidance to assist leaders and help scouts earn any of the following:
Girl Scouts: Daisy Pet Patch; Brownie Animal Try-it Badge; Junior Girl Scout Pet Care Patch; Cadette Girl Scout Pets Badge
Boy Scouts: Cub Scout Pet Care Badge (Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts and Webelos)
Special Topical Sessions For Youth &/or Adults
Safety: Be Safe with Dogs - Teaches participants the tools needed to be safe around dogs - understanding dog's body language, proper way to meet a dog, what to do while riding a bike when a dog chases. Dog Park Tips - What you need to know before taking your dog to a dog park. Halloween Pet Safety - Learn how to keep your pet safe during the Halloween season.
Controlling Pet Overpopulation: Why Spay or Neuter Your pet? - Uncovers common myths regarding spay/neuter; provides facts supporting spay/neuter of companion animals; illustrates the number of offspring produced by unspayed female dogs and cats; provides information regarding low-cost spay/neuter program in Oconee County. What Are Puppy Mills? - Teaches participates about the inhumane conditions of these abusive commercial dog breeding facilities; describes the relationship between puppy mills and pet store or internet puppies; reviews federal legislation introduced to protect dogs in puppy mills.
Companion Animal Care: What Does Your Pet NEED? - Teaches the elements of pet responsibility, dog and care care essentials, importance of basic obedience training and local resources, special needs of puppies and older dogs. Pet Adoption - Provides guidance in choosing the right pet for your family - puppy or kitten versus more mature pet, size of living environment and outdoor containment, mixed breed versus pure breed, compatibility with other pets and more....
To schedule an activity or for more information please contact:
Dianne Sosnowski |
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Facts About Oconee's Animal Shelter:
The shelter's intake rate is 3x national average.
The shelter took in over 5,500 animals in 2010. This is a 13% increase over '09.
The 2 yr. old shelter was designed for 150 animals and averages 280.
The total cost of impoundment is $101 per animal and is increasing.
The current cost of the shelter is $6 per year for each resident and is increasing.
Only 40% are adopted.
The shelter's euthanasia rate is 4x national average.
There are over 15,000 pets in Oconee County that are not altered.
More than half of those pets live in households at or below poverty.
What can I do? Promote Spay / Neuter Programs! Click here to learn more.
