Victoria Day may be looking very different for us this year, but it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate in our own way! Here are a… Read more »

Many of you are still adjusting to spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and your pets are going to be… Read more »

Due to COVID-19, our everyday life is much different than it was a month ago, and so is your pet’s. Pets are truly an essential part… Read more »

Remi has a special bond with his little human. Amanda’s daughter has special needs and before adopting Remi had a robotic cat that looks exactly… Read more »

How do we keep safety in mind when it comes to our animal friends? In this week’s lesson, we invite you to explore the importance of making decisions that keep not only ourselves and our kids safe, but also other people and our animal friends. If you and your kids have been following along, you might remember from our previous lessons that we explored how animals have feelings too. Animals show us their feelings through their body language, facial expressions and sounds they make. (If you missed it, you can find the video for Strand 2, Lesson 1 “Exploring Feelings” HERE) Animals that feel angry or scared can be dangerous, so if we see one nearby it’s important for kids to know to leave them alone and tell an adult right away. Even happy companion animals might not know their strength or how sharp their claws and teeth are. For example, a dog that is feeling happy and excited could jump up and knock you down by accident. Or, a playful kitten might scratch your hands while playing a fun game with you. Questions to explore with your kids: What should you do if you see a dog running around without their owner? If a pet owner says you can pet the dog, do you pet them right away or hold your hand out to her first? Check out our latest video to find answers to these questions and more! Thank you for being a friend to animals. Be prepared: AnimaSmart™ Primary - Strand 4, Lesson 1 https://youtu.be/NYvvmDLujFc Lesson Details: This week’s AnimalSmart video lesson includes learning related to Language and Science in Strand 4, Lesson 1 of the AnimalSmart Primary Manual. You can find the detailed links to curriculum expectations and the full AnimalSmart manual at www.animalsmart.ca. Share how to #beanimalsmart with us! We’d love to see what your kids and classrooms create this week! Share on your social media using the hashtag #beanimalsmart and explore what others families are sharing by following the hashtag. Would your kid/s like to be involved in one of our AnimalSmart videos? E-mail us to find out more at education@ontariospca.ca. For more activities for kids, follow us on  Instagram and Facebook and visit www.ontariospca.ca to sign up to receive regular eblasts about new activities and games announced every week. About AnimalSmart AnimalSmart is a free, online, humane education series developed by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society in partnership with educators. This learning resource consists of a series of lesson plans developed to foster empathy, promote a sense of responsibility and inspire connection with animals and the environment. The lessons also promote mutual respect among learners and encourage collaboration with their classmates and family, and participation in their local and global community. To download more free lesson plans, visit animalsmart.ca. Read more »

Listening to health professionals and the Government of Canada, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society made the decision in mid-March to close our animal centres… Read more »

Guest post by Jennifer Toof, Manager, Programs and Education, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society  As much as staying home during COVID-19 can… Read more »

Easter weekend may be looking very different for your family this year, but that doesn’t mean it has to be less fun! We’ve put together… Read more »

During this challenging time, many of us who are able, are physically distancing by staying home. This means more time with pets and a pretty… Read more »

(UPDATED APRIL 13, 2020) As the COVID-19 crisis continues, so do the myths circulating online. People are left wondering what to believe and what… Read more »

While we all do our best to practice social distancing, we may be spending more time at home, going for walks, and looking for activities… Read more »

This year’s March Break is looking very different that expected for most Canadians. Over the next few weeks, keeping kids entertained may seem challenging,… Read more »