Watauga Humane Society's Team Educate is designed to spread the word about the mission of the WHS and the humane care and treatment of animals. These volunteers conduct various programs at the shelter and in schools with area children.
Volunteers made contact with all second grade classrooms in the county, either by school visits or student field trips to WHS.
Team Educate sponsors a writing contest for grades 4th through 6th, and a number of Watauga County students participate. The winners are usually acknowledged at a School Board meeting and are awarded Amazon gift cards. This contest is ongoing each school year, in an effort to bring awareness of the mission of the Humane Society, and to encourage children to treat animals with compassion and kindness.
Student groups, including public, private, and charter schools, scout troops and 4H camps, also visited the WHS Adoption Center for tours, animal meet and greets, crafts and pet safety presentations.
In addition to volunteer visits to schools, teachers can partner with Team Educate by sponsoring a pet food and supplies drive with students. This gives children the opportunity to help contribute and support the care and feeding of our shelter animals, as well as help stock our pet food pantry. It is fun for the whole class when they get to visit the adoption center to donate the supplies!
These visits proved to be so successful that we have expanded this field trip option to include a variety of fun activities for students, including shelter tours, interaction with animals, craft activities and pet care and safety presentations.
Team Educate also sponsors Reading for Paws, one of our popular summer programs intended for an audience of 2nd grade through 8th-grade children. Its purpose is to promote children's reading skills and interests, while also providing a means for socializing and promoting human interaction with cats and kittens that are housed at the Watauga Humane Society's Adoption Center. Find out more information or sign up for Reading for Paws 2020 NOW!
Camp Cats and Canines
Camp Cats and Canines is calling all little campers to join in on the fun this summer! Learn about animal medical care, dog safety, therapy dogs, pet care, and so much more! Days are filled with crafts, interaction with shelter animals, and fun around the adoption center.