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RSPCA ACT
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Description
Spend the day with us learning about animals, positive pet care, and the ways RSPCA ACT helps animals and supports the community. The day includes a guided tour to meet our shelter animals as well as visiting behind-the-scenes to see the inner workings of our shelter. You will also get crafty and make enrichment goodies for your own pet or one of the lucky shelter animals.
We offer a range of programs to young people aged 6 to 17 years, held at our Weston Creek Shelter.
Does your child have a passion for animals?
Do you want to give them a hands-on experience at RSPCA ACT?
Well, these school holidays they can do just that!
Support the team in caring for our animals, while learning how to care for them correctly and protect them.
Join us for these special programs where participants will get the chance to step into the shoes of an Animal Care Assistant for a day. From socialising adorable kittens or puppies, to cleaning chicken coops or rabbit runs.
Session Information
Junior Animal Care Assistant (6 – 10 Years)
Join the team at RSPCA ACT in our Junior Animal Care Assistant program.
This Program mainly focuses on the two of the Five Domains - Behaviour Interactions and Mental State.
10am - 10:10am Introduction
10:10am - 10:30am Tour
10:30am - 11:15am Enrichment Making
11:15am - 12:00pm Handing Out Enrichment and Socialising
This program is only for children between 6 and 10 years. If you have any questions, please email education@rspca-act.org.au.
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Please note that while we make every attempt to follow planned programs, there may be some days where children are unable to pat or hold animals. This is due to the nature of our shelter; many of our animals are very timid and are not ready to be handled by a group. Decisions around animal interaction are always made with the welfare of the animal as paramount.
Animal Care Assistant (11 - 16 Years)
Join the team at RSPCA ACT in our Animal Care Assistant for a Day program.
This Program focuses on the Five Domains of Animal Welfare- Behaviour Interactions, Mental State/Experiences, Nutrition, Physical Environment and Health.
10am Arrival
10:10am - 10:15am Introduction
10:15am - 10:40am Tour
10:45am - 11:15am Animal Care Task
11:15am Morning Tea
11:30am - 12:15pm Animal Care Task
12:15pm - 12:30pm Lunch
12:15am - 1:30pm Animal Care Task
1:30am - 2:00pm Shelter Animal Socialisation / Enrichment Making
As this is a longer session, please pack your child morning tea and lunch. Children will be supervised during this break and are not allowed to leave the group at this time.
This program is only for children between 11 and 16 years. If you have any questions, please email education@rspca-act.org.au.
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Please note that while we make every attempt to follow planned programs, there may be some days where children are unable to pat or hold animals. This is due to the nature of our shelter; many of our animals are very timid and are not ready to be handled by a group. Decisions around animal interaction are always made with the welfare of the animal as paramount.
About Our Programs
Class descriptions, timetables and bookings will be released approximately one month before the commencement of each ACT public school holiday period.
Programs are quite popular and often book out quickly. If you would like to be notified as soon as bookings become available, please fill out the contact form below.
Or, become a Junior SupPawter and enjoy early access to all program bookings (along with many other goodies). Junior SupPawter applications can be found here.
Programs include a shelter tour along with lots of information and hands on activities. Topics vary each school holidays.
We also invite other local animal loving organisations in to present workshops from time to time; this helps children to understand the bigger picture of animal care and protection within the community. These sessions also provide an opportunity to learn about more specialised animals or areas, including reptile husbandry and basic pet first aid.
What to Bring on the Day:
- All participants should bring their own labelled drink bottle.
- All participants must wear appropriate clothing, including long pants, enclosed footwear, a hat and sunscreen.
- Participants should bring a snack and lunch (nut and egg free please). RSPCA ACT does not provide food as part of our School Holiday program, but we do have facilities to refill drink bottles.
Please endeavour to arrive as close to the session start time as possible and wait outside the reception area with your child.
Our session educator and volunteers all hold Working with Vulnerable People cards and have met RSPCA ACT's requirements to facilitate these programs. For this reason, parents are welcome to wait in our waiting area for the duration of the session. Under special circumstances, you may receive permission to attend, however you are required to hold a WWVP card and pay the participant fee in full.
Cancellation Policy
- A full refund or credit, less a $25 administration fee will be given if a cancellation is made with a notice period of seven (7) days or more; or
- A 50% refund or credit, less a $25 administration fee will be given if cancellation is made with a notice period of less than seven (7) days’ notice but more than two (2) days; or
- No refund or credit will be given if cancellation made with a notice period less than 48 hours; or
- No refund or credit will be given if the participant does not attend or an animal is collected early.
Please fill out the contact form below to make a cancellation or call 02 6287 8100.
Terms and Conditions
Download RSPCA ACT School Holiday Program Terms and Conditions
FAQs
Will my child get to cuddle lots of animals?
Where possible, participants will have some opportunities to interact with our shelter animals. However, sometimes our shelter animals may be feeling overwhelmed and need some quiet time. In these instances, we will respect our shelter animal's needs, and focus on the many learning opportunities available. Participants should expect to assist with jobs that need to be done and learn what it takes to work at RSPCA ACT.
Can I, as the parent or guardian attend?
Our session educator and volunteers all hold Working with Vulnerable People cards and have met RSPCA ACT's requirements to facilitate these programs. For this reason parents are welcome to wait in our waiting area for the duration of the session, however are unable to attend the session with their child. Under special circumstances, you may receive permission to attend, however you are required to hold a WWVP card and pay the participant fee in full.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please note that while we make every attempt to follow planned programs, there may be some days where children are unable to pat or hold animals. This is due to the nature of our shelter; many of our animals are very timid and are not ready to be handled by a group. Decisions around animal interaction are always made with the welfare of the animal as paramount. All sessions may include visits to other animals around the shelter – please let us know if there are any animals that your child is fearful of or inexperienced with.
We endeavour to keep as close to our curriculum as possible, however in the event of bad weather or not having animals suitable for the session we will alter the curriculum slightly and/or utilise staff animals. The session will still be interactive and lots of fun!
LOCATION:
12 Kirkpatrick Street, Weston ACT 2611.
ALLERGY INFORMATION:
Please note that while we don’t allow children to bring nuts or nut products into our School Holiday programs, RSPCA ACT is not a nut free environment. Our dogs are sometimes given peanut butter as a treat, and this is stored in our kennels. Please advise staff if your child has a nut allergy.
If your child is at all unwell on the day of their session, please do not attend the shelter. We have adjusted our cancellation policy to allow for absences. Please read the cancellation policy below.
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More questions? Please contact our Education Officer on 02 6287 8139 or fill the form below.
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