your Leader`s Guide: Cadette-Senior

The Houston Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
and
The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
Cadette/Senior Leader's Guide
Cadette/Senior Level Requirements
HOUSTON
SPCA
''Paw Pals"
Houston SPCA
Girl SCOUtPatch program
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
3110 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 292-0300
www·9sslc.org
Houston SPCA
900 Portway Drive
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 869-SPCA(7722)
www. houstonspca. org
Houston SPCA "Paw Pals"
Girl Scout Patch
Patch Description:
Houston SPCA
Mission Statement:
Patch Design:
The SPCA Patch will consist of each level of
girl scouting: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors,
Cadettes, and Seniors. Activities will include
items directly related to the Houston SPCA's
mission statement.
The mission of the Houston SPCA is to
promote commitment to and respect for all
animals and to free them from suffering,
abuse and exploitation. Our vision is that we
will lead our community to appreciate the
value of animals.
The Houston SPCA logo is in black and white.
There are four levels of paws with different
colors to represent each Girl Scout level.
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Cost:
Daisies receive a yellow paw
Brownies receive a pink paw
Juniors receive an purple paw
Cadettes/Seniors receive a orange paw
The cost is $3.00 per girl. This price includes
both the logo patch ($2) and the paw ($1) for
the respective level. Checks should be made
payable to the Houston SPCA. Cash is
acceptable as well. Receipts are provided as
requested by Troop Leaders.
HOUSTON SPCA "Paw Pals"
PATCH PROGRAM
Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts
"ENCOURAGING HUMANE TREATMENT
OF COMPANION ANIMALS"
Cadettes and Senior Girl Scouts must complete eight (8) of the
eleven (11) activities, including the two that have asterisks.
1. *Visit the Houston SPCA for a tour. At your meeting following
the visit, list 10 ways the Houston SPCA provides humane
treatment for the animals in our care. Make a chart or poster
with your findings.
2. With your troop, conduct a supply drive based on the Houston
SPCA Wish List, attached.
3. *What is the difference in humane treatment of our companion
animals and the legal mandate that we must "provide food,
care, and shelter"? What does the word "humane" mean?
Could a pet owner follow the law, but not be humane? Make a
booklet or poster of choices a humane owner would make.
4. Complete the worksheet, "Dogs, Dogs, and More Dogs." Make
a poster (or use sheets of manila paper) with stickers, crayons,
markers, or other supplies, that illustrates the population of
dogs that would result after 2 years if we do not spay and
neuter. Present your poster to your troop or to your family.
5.
Read "Careers for Animal Lovers," Activity #5. Pick out three
of the careers (one choice should be a career you haven't
thought of before) and write how each one contributes to the
humane treatment of companion animals.
Cadette/Senior Scouts options for patches, p. 2
6. Investigate careers in Humane Education. Why is this kind of
education important? During your visit to the Houston SPCA,
interview the Humane Educator, using the Career Investigator
activity sheet, Activity #6, attached.
7. Write a story from the point of view of a dog or cat at the
Houston SPCA. What kind of family does he or she want?
What kind of care is important?
8. Research animal abuse. Go through the newspaper and locate
articles pertaining to animal abuse. Share them with your
troop. Then write a Letter to the Editor sharing your feelings
about the abuse described in the article.
9. What are "companion animals"? Would humane treatment of
companion animals be different from humane treatment of
exotic animals? Find out why wild or exotic animals DON'T
make good pets. What kinds of things would a tiger or lion
need (if he were a pet) that a regular cat would not? What
problems could occur if that kind of animal were kept as a pet?
What animals DO make good pets? Make a poster with one
side of pictures of animals that make good pets and the other
with animals that do not make good pets. Draw your own or
use magazine pictures. Share this with your troop.
1O.Study the information about why cats should live indoors. Then
teach what you have learned to your troop or another group.
11. Empathy is the ability to "put yourself in someone else's
shoes." Empathy is more than feeling sorry for someone; it is
identifying with the feelings of that person. Many experts
believe this important character trait is often first developed in
our relationship with animals. Read the short story, "Rusty and
Raymond," attached. With your troop, discuss the questions at
the end of the story.
ACTIVITY
#2
Houston SPCA
Our Wish List
Our Animals Need:
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HOUSTON
Cat Litter (Non-clumping)
Fabric Toilet Seat Covers (for cat beds)
Fresh Greens and Lettuce (not iceberg) for rabbits
Hamster, Mice, Ferret, Gerbil, Rabbit, and Guinea Pig Food
Pet Grooming Supplies
Pet Toys - Cats and Dogs
Rabbit Litter (Yesterday's News)
Halters, Horse Blankets & Lead Ropes
SPCA
And to Help the Animals, We Also Need:
•
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Monetary Donations
Digital Cameras
Newspapers
Small, medium & large disposable food trays (like nacho trays)
Can Openers
Hand Sanitizers
Towels and Blankets
Bleach
Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
8 Yz " X 11" copy paper, white and any color
Office supplies (scissors, tape, pens, Sharpies, etc.)
Large plastic watering cans
Paper towels
Gallon-size and sandwich Zip-Ioc bags
The Houston SPCA receives no funding from the government, United Way,
ASPCA or Humane Society of the United States, so the support of the
community is vital to the continuation of our programs.
DOGS, DOGS, AND MORE DOGS!
Animal shelters take care of 8 to 10 million lost, abandoned, and surrendered (given up) dogs and
cats each year. They try to find homes for as many as they can. but there are not enough homes
for all the animals in shelters.
A typical female dog will have two litters of six puppies each year. Assume that each litter has
three males and three females. The answer to this math problem will help us understand why there
are so many homeless dogs and cats.
Part A
Directions: After each sentence, write the correct number of dogs.
1. Pretend you have ONE unspayed female dog. Her name is Molly.
2. In the spring, Molly has SIX puppies - three males and
three females.
+
TOTAL A =
3. In the fall, Molly has her second litter of SIX puppies.
4. And her THREE daughters have SIX puppies each. (3 x 6)
+
TOTAL B =
_
_
_
_
5. The next spring, Molly has her third litter of SIX puppies.
6. Her SIX daughters each have a litter of SIX puppies. (6 x 6)
+
7. AND her NINE granddaughters each have a litter of
SIX puppies. (9x6)
+
TOTAL C =
8. The next fall, Molly has her fourth litter of SIX puppies.
9. Her NINE daughters each have a litter of SIX puppies. (9 x 6)
+
10. AND her 54 granddaughters and great-granddaughters
each have
a litter of SIX puppies. (54 x 6)
+
TOTAL D =
B
A
+
_
_
_
_
D
C
+
_
+
;;
TOTAL
Part B
What should have been done for Molly so that at the end of two years, you would have just
onedog?
_
Activity #4
Careers for Animal Lovers
(Activity #5)
Below are a few jobs or careers working for or with animals. All of these
jobs require a love of animals and a firm commitment to their well being.
Some of these careers require a lot of training, and not too many of them
pay a lot. But everyone of them will give you an opportunity to make a
difference for the animals and enrich your life as well.
Adoption Counselor: helps find good homes for homeless animals,
interviews potential adopters to make sure they will make good pet
owners and to match them to the right pet for their lives
Animal Behavior Specialist: evaluates behavior and social skills of animals
and trains shelter animals to assist them in getting adopted
Animal Crueltv Investigator: investigates animal neglect, cruelty, and
abuse complaints, also educates the public about relevant animal laws
and humane animal care
Fundraising/Special Events: plans events like the telethon, Mutt Strut,
and the annual gala, to raise money for the shelter
Humane Educator: educates children about the Houston SPCA, basic pet
care, and how to be compassionate, kind, and respectful to all living
things
Foster Care Manager: trains and supervises volunteer foster families as
they give care in their homes for some of our animals when these
animals are not ready to be adopted, because of size, age, or health
problems.
Shelter Veterinarian: doctor for animals, performs surgeries and treats
sick and injured animals
Veterinarv Technician: assists the veterinarian with surgeries,
vaccinations, testing for diseases and health examinations of animals
Volunteer Director: responsible for the recruitment, training and
supervision of volunteers to assist employees in the efficient running of
the facility.
Other animal careers include:
Animal Control Officer
Disaster Relief Specialist
Groomer
Obedience Trainer
Office Manager
Pet Sitter
Service Dog Trainer
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Zookeeper
ACTIVITY #6
Animal Career Investigator
Career: Humane Educator
1.
Why are you called a "Humane Educator"?
2. Describe your job duties to me.
3. What do you like best about your job?
4. What do you like least?
5. How do you prepare for this career?
6. Do all Humane Educators work in animal shelters?
7. If you could choose one thing you would like my troop to
know about the Houston SPCA,what would it be?
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Activity #10
ATTENTION CAT OWNERS!
Don't Let Your Cats
Loose Outside!
If you let your pet kitty roam outside, here are a few things you
need to think about:
1. The possibility that he/she will get hit by a car (accidents DO
happen) or get lost (particularly without identifying tags).
2. The risk of the cat being involved in a tight with another cat
'"
or a dog.
3. The existence of people who HATE cats and are perverse
enough to injure, torture or kill them (such individuals DO
exist!)
4. If the cat is not neutered or spayed, adding yet another litter
of unwanted kittens to an already huge population (which
increases instances of neglect and makes euthanasia by
animal shelters a necessary evil). In seven years, one female
cat and her offspring call produce 420,000 cats. One male
cat call make several females pregnant ill a short time.
5. And, a list of fatal or dangerous diseases including feline
AIDS (NOT transmittable to humans), feline leukemia,
respiratory ailments, rabies, and others expensive to treat.
In other words, if your feline companion is an important part of
your life, and you are a responsible and loving friend, consider the
wisdom of an INDOOR ONLY cat.
---------------------------
RUSty
and
Raymond
by Judy GOlden
It was getting dark, so Raymond
"Oh, they didn't take Rusty with
started for home .. A..s he passed Ste w-a.n
. ithetn. They can't have dogs in their
Park, he heard barking and snarling. A
new apartment, •• his mother remarked.
pack of dogs was chasing a cat. Some
Raymond's eyes opened wide and
of the dogs were fighting. He couldn't
he exclaimed, "Where's Rusty'! What
believe his eyes-one of the dogs was
did they do with him?"
Rusty!
"Calm down, Raymond. Mr. JohnRaymond didn't know what to do.
son let Rusty loose in the park. He'll
He didn't want to disobey his mother,
.be okay."
"But how will he find food, and
but he bad to go into the park to get
Rusty. Raymond stood at the edge of
"! what will be do in the rain?" said
Raymond.
the park. He yelled Rusty's name, but
"Rusty is a smart dog," his mother
the dog didn't hear him. The park was
said. "He'll know what to do. Besides,
scary, and Raymond didn't ••.rant to
get too close to those other dogs.
there are a lot of stray dogs in the
neighborhood. They survive!"
"Rusty, Rusty!" Raymond
screamed,
"Mom, if Rusty comes back, can
Finally Rusty looked up. He saw
we keep him?"
Raymond and ran to him, Rusty was
She knew that keeping a dog was
\
thin and had a cut over one eye.
expensive, but she didn't want to
"I'm going to take good care of
disappoint her son. He loved that dog
you," said Raymond, hugging his
so much.
friend. "This park is no place for either
"We11 see," she said.
of us. Let's get out of bere and go
Raymond went to his room. He
Raymond ran the five blocks down
wanted to believe his mother, but he
Center Street from school to his home.
home."
just couldn't. He was frightened for
He could have cut across Stewart
Rusty. He bad to find him.
Park, but his mother had told him not
For the next two weeks, Raymond
to. She said the park was dangerous.
looked down alleyways and in beWhen he reached his building,
tween houses. He saw several stray
Raymond ran the four flights up to his
dogs picking through garbage cans. But
apartment. .A..s he opened the door, he
Done of them was Rusty. The dogs
realized something was different.
looked thin and scared. Raymond
"Hi, Raymond," his mother said.
became frightened.
\
"How was school?"
"Okay," replied Raymond. "Mom,
"Is this .what's
l(~'\
happening to
~. ';
.
how come Rusty didn't bark?" Rusty
Rusty? Maybe
\ ~
was a big brown mutt who belonged
someone f~und him
~ ~
.1
to the Johnsons, Raymond's
and gave him a good
neighbors.
ie," thought Raymond.
"The Johnsons moved; they found a
"Or maybe he's injured and
better place to live." said his mother.
"Well, I hope it's a better place for
hiding someplace." Raymond ~'(\r=='i
~~~-~~~~~.
~~~~~~
decided to keep searching.
.
. ~.0
~
Rusty, too," Raymond said sadly.
')
\;
fill
. .. ~
Activity #11
Rusty and Raymond: Discussion Questions
1. Did Rusty's owners make a humane choice when they moved? What would
have been a better way to handle their problem?
2. Do you think Rusty looked for his family? Put yourself in Rusty's shoes (or
paws) for a moment. What are you feeling?
3. What do you think happened to Rusty during the two weeks that he was on
his own?
4. Have you ever been lost? Can you empathize with Rusty?
5. Do you think the Johnsons should get another pet?
6. Can you empathize with Raymond? How do you think Raymond felt when he
learned Rusty had been abandoned?
Houston SPCA
"Paw Pals"
Patch Program Evaluation Form
.t;
HOUSTON
SPCA
Troop Number:
Your Name:
Girl Scout Level: Daisy
Brownie
Junior
Cadette
Senior
1. What was your favorite activity and why?
2. Which activities did you I your troop complete?
Please list by number:
3. Name at least one thing you learned from the patch program that you
didn't know before:
4. Do you have any suggestions for our program?
Please send this completed form to:
Houston SPCA
Education Department
900 Portway Drive
Houston, TX 77024
Forms can also be e-mailed to education@houstonspca.org
or faxed to 713.869.5857.