Lexington Humane Society Gets Children Involved Early

One excited mother explained her 10-year-old daughter's Critter Camp experience this way: "She has never finished anything in her entire life - this is a first. She bounces out of bed every morning and can't wait to get there."

It's understandable, really. Understandable because the Lexington Humane Society has designed a series of young people's programs saturated with fun and creativity that intrigues kids of all ages while teaching important life lessons about responsibility, kindness and personal involvement.

Critter Crew Helps to Educate 

Launched this past spring, Critter Crew is a membership only kids' club that runs year round for ages two and up. During their evening meetings youngsters get acquainted with the animals at the shelter, observe how the shelter works and meet other kids who care about animals too.                                            

They receive their own official Critter Crew membership card, which entitles them to their special quarterly newsletter, bookmark, a sticker, a 10 percent discount on LHS merchandise and a 10 percent discount on birthday parties held at the shelter. Plus, they get to attend member-only events planned exclusively for them.

Whitney Wilgus, Volunteer Coordinator for the Lexington Humane Society, says these member-only events are a blast for the kids, because "it shows them what the shelter does and lets them be a part of something bigger than themselves."

At the most recent Critter Crew event children heard the story, "Let's Get A Pup! Said Kate," written by Bob Graham about a family who selected a puppy from a shelter only to return later to also adopt an older dog they had seen there before and simply couldn't forget.

Critter Campers Foster Kittens, Meet Therapy Dogs

Critter Camp, for ages six to 10, is a weekly summer adventure that exposes children to a wide variety of hands-on experiences and activities as well as show-and-tell presentations from informative guest speakers.

For instance, the children become foster parents to a litter of kittens that they keep in a cage in their camp classroom. They feed, water, clean the litter box and socialize the kittens - learning and accepting responsibility the entire time.

But, what's the best part? Actually naming the kittens is totally awesome...the most fun of all.

And, talk about hands-on. They even make a batch of their own dog food,  Wilgus says. The children divide into teams, create their own team names and write down their secret dog food recipe concocted from a variety of ingredients on hand such as baby food, rice and dog treats. Then, the official "taste tester" is brought in from the kennel, and based upon his or her vote, a winning team is declared!

One group that draws rapt attention from the Critter Campers is Love on a Leash. This organization brings its service dogs to the campers' classroom allowing the kids to see first hand the pet therapy these dogs provide as their way of helping others.

There is also a Vet Day where Critter Campers learn how to do at - home check ups of their own pets as instructed by the LHS staff veterinarian. And, they're actually given their own junior stethoscopes to take home so they can really check their pet's heartbeat. As part of Vet Day, every Critter Camp member also has the option to view a spay/neuter surgery there at LHS...only if they wish.

Camp Ruffin' It for Career Oriented Youth

For a more direct experience and for those thinking of careers with animals, Camp Ruffin' It takes 11 to 13-year-olds through courses  taught by the cruelty investigator, the staff veterinarian and the shelter adoption manager. This group also gets the option of observing a spay/neuter surgery. According to Wilgus, this group asks some particularly intelligent questions when viewing the surgery.

The enrollment fees for these programs go toward the care of the animals at LHS. And, Wilgus is quick to point out they do offer income-based scholarships so that more area children can participate in these experiences.

Through all these exceptional programs plus their outreach efforts in local schools, LHS educates 150 young people each month about responsible pet ownership, the proper care of pets, adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering every pet. Their goal is to instill in these youngsters a lifetime of unconditional compassion and respect for all creatures.

For More Information

To sign up for these children's programs, or if you would like more information, contact Whitney Wilgus, Volunteer Coordinator, Lexington Humane Society, at  859-233-0044 extension 254. Or, email her at wwilgus@lexingtonhumanesociety.org

Visit the Lexington Humane Society at www.adoptlove.net to learn more about its services,  "Adopt Love" program and upcoming events.

See The Beagles take LHS by storm! (All they need is love.) Reserve your table today for the LHS 2009 Beastie Ball Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 at Marriott Griffin Gate Resort for live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing to Joey and the Cruisers. For more details or to purchase tickets, call 859-233-0044 extension 252 or visit www.adoptlove.net

 Photos courtesy of the Lexington Humane Society