To secure your place in our one of our School Holiday workshops, make a booking online by clicking here.
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.
Session Information
Monday 3rd July – FAMILY OPEN DAY
These sessions are open to everyone, and all ages are welcome.
Including a guided tour and a look behind the scenes, which can be a great way to learn more about our shelter and its operations.
You will also have the opportunity to create enrichment items for shelter residents, which is a fantastic way to contribute and make a positive impact. Enrichment items can help enhance the well-being and mental stimulation of the animals, making their stay at the shelter more comfortable and enjoyable. It's an opportunity to get creative and provide something special for the animals.
If you would like to have your stuffed animals "microchipped" and receive a certificate, you can certainly take advantage of this opportunity by paying an additional $5 fee. It could be a fun and unique keepsake for collectors or for children who want to have a special memento from their visit to the shelter.
Tuesday 4th July – POCKET PET TALK
Owning a small animal comes with unique responsibilities and understanding their individual behaviours is crucial for providing appropriate care.
During the session, you'll have the opportunity to learn about these care requirements and behaviours, and you may even get to participate in care tasks like making enrichment items, preparing food, or replacing bedding. These activities can help you understand the hands-on aspects of caring for these animals and give you a sense of the effort required to meet their needs.
Additionally, the guided tour through the shelter will provide you with a better understanding of the shelter's operations and the importance of animal welfare. The meet and greet, if available, can be a wonderful opportunity to interact with the animals and learn more about their individual personalities!
Wednesday 5th July – DOGS DAY OUT
The participants of this session will begin the day by joining our Kennel Team for a morning debrief lead by the Kennels Team Leader. Participants will be provided with an overview of the Kennel's operations, the importance of care tasks and the role of volunteers in supporting the well-being of the residents.
Participants will be paired up with volunteers and a Kennel resident for a walk, and an insight into working with the Kennel residents. Upon return, participants and volunteers will ensure the resident is settled comfortably and complete some daily care tasks.
By integrating the guided tour and enrichment activity at the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the shelter's operations and have a chance to actively contribute to the well-being of the animals. It's a great way to create a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Thursday 6th July – FOOD ENRICHMENT FOR SHELTER ANIMALS
In this session the participants have the opportunity to make food enrichment items for our Shelter animals. This experience combines compassion, creativity, and the joy of giving back to our furry friends in need.
During this hands-on session, participants will create enticing treats and engaging food puzzles that will enhance the lives of shelter animals waiting for their forever homes. Guided by experienced animal care professionals, this interactive session aims to foster empathy and responsibility while teaching participants about animal welfare and the importance of kindness towards all living beings.
All sessions also include a guided tour of our Shelter where participants can learn more about the daily routines of Shelter animals and the essential services provided by our staff and volunteers.
Friday 7th July – CATTERY ENRICHMENT
This hands-on session encourages young animal lovers to unleash their creativity, compassion, and imagination while making a tangible difference in the lives of feline friends awaiting forever homes. The participants will explore various materials, shapes, and textures to design stimulating toys that captivate the curiosity of shelter cats. They will learn how to create interactive puzzles that encourage mental stimulation, build engaging hiding spots that provide a sense of security, and fashion scratching surfaces to promote healthy feline behaviors.
The session encourages participants to think like cats, considering their natural instincts and preferences. With an array of safe and environmentally friendly materials at their disposal, participants will learn to craft toys that awaken the cats' hunting instincts, inspire playfulness, and offer opportunities for exercise and exploration.
All session will include a guided tour through our Shelter.
Monday 10th July – “TALES & TAILS”
This session combines the joy of reading with the therapeutic benefits of spending time with shelter dogs. This program provides participants with a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our furry friends while fostering their own love for literature and compassion for animals.
In this session, participants will discover the bond between storytelling and the well-being of shelter dogs. They will learn about the soothing effect that human voices and gentle interactions have on these animals, creating a sense of comfort and security amidst the challenges they face in a shelter environment.
All sessions also include a guided tour where participants will have the opportunity to see our day to day routines and a chance to create some enrichment for our residents.
Tuesday 11th July – POCKET PET TALK
Owning a small animal comes with unique responsibilities and understanding their individual behaviours is crucial for providing appropriate care.
During the session, you'll have the opportunity to learn about these care requirements and behaviours, and you may even get to participate in care tasks like making enrichment items, preparing food, or replacing bedding. These activities can help you understand the hands-on aspects of caring for these animals and give you a sense of the effort required to meet their needs.
Additionally, the guided tour through the shelter will provide you with a better understanding of the shelter's operations and the importance of animal welfare. The meet and greet, if available, can be a wonderful opportunity to interact with the animals and learn more about their individual personalities!
Wednesday 13th July – DOGS DAY OUT
The participants of this session will begin the day by joining our Kennel Team for a morning debrief lead by the Kennels Team Leader. Participants will be provided with an overview of the Kennel's operations, the importance of care tasks and the role of volunteers in supporting the well-being of the residents.
Participants will be paired up with volunteers and a Kennel resident for a walk, and an insight into working with the Kennel residents. Upon return, participants and volunteers will ensure the resident is settled comfortably and complete some daily care tasks.
By integrating the guided tour and enrichment activity at the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the shelter's operations and have a chance to actively contribute to the well-being of the animals. It's a great way to create a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Thursday 14th July – Animal Careers at RSPCA ACT
Calling all young animal enthusiasts! Join us for Career Day at the RSPCA, where participants can dive into the exciting world of animal care and explore various professions within the field. This hands-on session offers the opportunity to learn from passionate experts, engage in meaningful activities, and gain insights into the rewarding paths of veterinary nursing, shelter operations, and marketing.
Through a diverse range of activities, participants will gain invaluable insights into the daily operations of an animal shelter, discover the dedication required for veterinary nursing, and explore the creative side of marketing in promoting animal welfare.
Unleash your passion for animals and embark on an educational journey that opens doors to a world of rewarding and meaningful careers in animal care.
Friday 15th July – Family Open Day
These sessions are open to everyone, and all ages are welcome.
Including a guided tour and a look behind the scenes, which can be a great way to learn more about our shelter and its operations.
You will also have the opportunity to create enrichment items for shelter residents, which is a fantastic way to contribute and make a positive impact. Enrichment items can help enhance the well-being and mental stimulation of the animals, making their stay at the shelter more comfortable and enjoyable. It's an opportunity to get creative and provide something special for the animals.
If you would like to have your stuffed animals "microchipped" and receive a certificate, you can certainly take advantage of this opportunity by paying an additional $5 fee. It could be a fun and unique keepsake for collectors or for children who want to have a special memento from their visit to the shelter.
About Our Workshops
Class descriptions, timetables and bookings will be released approximately one month before the commencement of each ACT Public School Holiday period.
Workshops are quite popular and often book out quickly. If you would like to be notified as soon as bookings become available, please email us at education@rspca-act.org.au
Or, become a Junior SupPawter and enjoy early access to all workshop bookings (along with many other goodies!). Junior SupPawter applications can be found here.
Workshops 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 specialized animals or areas, including reptile husbandry and basic pet first aid.
Generally, the School Holiday Program runs for two hours, and includes:
| An interactive information session | Based on the chosen topic, with opportunities to ask lots of questions. |
| A shelter tour | Depending on what animals we have, we may see kittens, dogs, turtles, rats, guinea pigs or occasionally even a pig or goat! |
| Hands on activities based on the session topic | This can include preparing lunch for dogs, socialising with kittens, creating enrichment items for rabbits, tunnels for rats or more! |
| A chance to revisit any animals of interest | We can show them their new toys or treats, or just spend time giving them that little bit of extra love. |
School Holiday Program sessions are suitable for animal enthusiasts aged 7 -14. We are always keen to hear any topic suggestions as well, so if there is an area that your child is particularly interested in, please let us know!
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, 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.