On Monday morning, Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation began a week-long summer camp for kids at Santa Maria Animal Center. The program, known as Camp H.O.P.E. (Humane Outreach through Progressive Education), is designed to provide its young participants with a wide array of enjoyable activities and educational opportunities alike, ultimately aiming to educate them on important issues related to animal welfare.
According to News Channel 3-12, Camp H.O.P.E. has been an annual activity of the foundation’s for several years, but has been on hold since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return was met with great enthusiasm from the community, with dozens of children taking part in this year’s installment.
Each day of Camp H.O.P.E. features a six-hour program made up of talks and demonstrations by guest speakers, crafting sessions, and quality time with shelter animals. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about the basic principles of responsible pet ownership, pet-related disaster preparedness, animal-related career and volunteering opportunities, and much more.
Camp H.O.P.E. is run entirely by volunteers and fully funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.
Teaching Your Child about a Pet Owner’s Responsibilities
It’s never too early to teach your children about what it means to be in charge of a beloved pet’s welfare. Young children are eager learners, particularly when it comes to subjects they care about, and involving them in pet care early on in their lives can teach them important lessons about responsibility and empathy.
If you’re only just about to get a pet, let your child in on the preparation process, which might include vetting potential dogs to adopt from your local shelter or going shopping for custom dog collars and other essential pet merchandise. Once your new pet comes home, give your child age-appropriate responsibilities related to their care, such as taking them for walks or providing them with food and water at mealtime. Your child will soon come to understand that animals need as much care and attention as people do.
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