"The program was age appropriate, educational, and kept their attention... Perhaps some may never fully recognize the value of your services, yet we had a most pleasurable time with the representative, and how animal care can be a great treat instead of a chore... Thank you for the valuable services offered with the professionalism and compassion of superb staff." - Raleigh Rescue Mission

SPCA Core Program Offerings

The SPCA of Wake County provides a variety of on-site and off-site educational opportunities for people of all ages. The Humane Education program strives to engage the community with humane messages while introducing participants to the services of an animal shelter in the community and how to get involved. Participants receive information to take home and share. All youth programs are interactive and require some level of participation. Scroll down to select a program for your group and let the SPCA come to you! Educational tours of the SPCA of Wake County Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center are strongly recommended for students ages 5 and up, particularly for students in grades 7-12. If your group is interested in an educational tour, please review our guidelines before calling to schedule. We do not provide tours for groups of children under the age of 5; however, let us come to you! An educational program at your location makes for a fun activity. Schedule a program today!
> Preschool (under 5) > Elementary (K-2nd) > Middle Grades (3rd-5th) > Junior High (6th-8th) > High School > Adults > Other Programs:      > On-site programs at the SPCA Adoption Center      > Shelter Tours      > Service Learning Opportunities  Groups that Have Requested Our Services Include: Classes of all ages Daycares Boy and Girl Scouts YMCA Indian Princesses After-school programs Track-out programs Faith-based organizations and More! Schedule a program or tour today!
Preschool (under 5): Furry Fun: An Introduction to Pets Students receive a fun and interactive introduction to pet care. Integrating a flannel board presentation with body movement, songs, and stories, children learn about items used for the care of a pet and how to interact with pets in a respectful manner. Curriculum connection: Introduces children to companion animals, safety, pet care and self care, and integrates review of colors, objects, sounds, and alphabet throughout the presentation. READ program Designed to introduce children to the world of pets, the READ program teaches participants principles of kindness as well as pet care and development. Curriculum connection: Introduces children to companion animals, safety, and pet care.   Schedule a program or tour today!
Elementary (K-2nd): Taking Care of Pets During this interactive presentation, students are introduced to pet care items with a pet care grab bag and asked to consider what is required to provide for a pet’s needs. Curriculum connection: Character Education, Science, Social Studies Dogs, Cats and Kids This workshop is designed to reduce the risk of dog bite injuries to adults and children. Topics covered include recognizing dog body language, how to react when approached by a dog or group of dogs not under leash control, meeting and greeting a friendly dog, and using good manners around dogs to reduce the chance of injury. Curriculum connection: Character Education, Health Be a Pet Detective A fun and interactive presentation focused on what to do if a pet is lost or found. Students are asked to use problem-solving skills while considering the responsibilities of having a pet. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Social Studies As Long As You Both Shall Live Through a discussion of the life cycles of various companion animals as compared to their own, students learn what needs to be considered before taking on the responsibility of a pet. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Mathematics, Science Pet Care with Picture Books Books provide great introductions to pets and pet care. Following readings of popular picture books, students are asked to identify and discuss pet care issues reflected in the literature materials. Curriculum Connection (may vary depending on book): Character Education, English Language Arts and Development, Science, Social Studies Schedule a program or tour today!
Middle Grades (3rd-5th): Animal Shelter 411 Students are introduced to the role of an animal shelter in the community through this interactive presentation that stretches their vocabulary and understanding of civics. Curriculum connection: Character Education, English Language Arts and Development, Social Studies Dogs, Cats and Big Kids This workshop is designed to reduce the risk of dog bite injuries to adults and children. Topics covered include recognizing dog body language, how to react when approached by a dog or group of dogs not under leash control, meeting and greeting a friendly dog, and using good manners around dogs to reduce the chance of injury. Curriculum connection: Character Education, Health Wolf to Woof An informative presentation exploring the evolution of the dog from the fires of cavemen to present day designer dogs. Discusses the special relationship through time between humans and dogs and the domestication of the canine. Curriculum connection: Science, Social Studies Working Dogs This engaging program discusses the jobs that dogs have and how these jobs help people. Jobs discussed include search and rescue dogs, canine cops, fire house dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Science Show Me the Way Home A fun and interactive presentation focused on what to do if a pet is lost or found. Students are asked to use problem-solving skills while considering the responsibilities of having a pet. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Social Studies Cool to be Kind Books provide great opportunities for discussion about responsibility. During this interactive program, students discuss the meaning of being “responsible” versus “irresponsible” as it relates to pet care as well as realistic versus unrealistic (or “fantasy”) depictions of animals in books. Curriculum Connection (may vary depending on book): Character Education, English Language Arts and Development, Science, Social Studies As Long As You Both Shall Live Through a discussion of the life cycles of various companion animals as compared to their own, students learn what needs to be considered before taking on the responsibility of a pet. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Mathematics, Science Schedule a program or tour today!
Junior High (6th-8th): Introduction to the SPCA of Wake County A PowerPoint presentation and discussion introduces students to the role of an animal shelter in the community and focuses on the SPCA of Wake County and opportunities to help the homeless animals of our community.  Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Social Studies Animal Shelter 411 Students are introduced to the role of an animal shelter in the community through this interactive presentation.  Curriculum connection: Character Education, English Language Arts and Development, Social Studies Lost and Found A fun and interactive presentation focused on what to do if a pet is lost or found. Students are asked to use problem-solving skills while considering the responsibilities of having a pet.  Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Social Studies Give a Dog a Job, Not Just a Bone Designed to inform students of the opportunities available to keep dogs happy and healthy, this program discusses service dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and a number of exciting activities designed to maintain a dog's physical and mental health. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Science What Does It Mean to Be “Humane?” Books provide great opportunities for discussion about being “humane” and “responsible.” During this interactive program, students discuss the meaning of being “humane” versus “inhumane.” Curriculum Connection (may vary depending on book): Character Education, English Language Arts and Development, Science, Social Studies As Long As You Both Shall Live Through a discussion of the life cycles of various companion animals, students learn what needs to be considered before taking on the responsibility of a pet. Curriculum Connection: Character Education, Mathematics, Science Schedule a program or tour today!
High School: Mentorships Every year the SPCA of Wake County Humane Education department provides mentorship opportunities for up to four high school students fulfilling academic requirements. Students must be prepared with a couple of project ideas. Due to time limitations, students are expected to take the lead role in their project management. Introduction to the SPCA of Wake County Focusing on the SPCA of Wake County, a PowerPoint presentation and discussion introduces participants to the role of an animal shelter in the community and opportunities to help the homeless animals of our community. Give a Dog a Job, Not Just a Bone Designed to inform students of the opportunities available to keep dogs happy and healthy, this program discusses service dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and a number of exciting activities designed to maintain a dog's physical and mental health. Schedule a program or tour today!
Adults: Introduction to the SPCA of Wake County Focusing on the SPCA of Wake County, a PowerPoint presentation and discussion introduces participants to the role of an animal shelter in the community and opportunities to help the homeless animals of our community. Give a Dog a Job, Not Just a Bone Designed to inform students of the opportunities available to keep dogs happy and healthy, this program discusses service dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and a number of exciting activities designed to maintain a dog's physical and mental health. Safety Around Animals This workshop is designed to reduce the risk of dog bite injuries to adults and children. Presented for a child’s point of view, this program equips parents and families with the tools that they need to reinforce positive interactions with animals and reduce the chances of being bitten. Topics covered include recognizing dog body language, how to react when approached by a dog or group of dogs not under leash control, meeting and greeting a friendly dog, and using good manners around dogs to reduce the chance of injury. Seniors and Pets Designed to address the needs of senior citizens, this program familarizes participants with the health benefits of pets, ways to help homeless animals, what seniors need to consider when selecting a pet, and special considerations that need to be made for the pets of seniors. Adult Groups that Have Requested Our Services Include: Business "Lunch and Learn(s)" Civic Groups Community service agencies ESL classes Faith-based organizations Homeowners' Associations Newcomer Clubs Senior Centers and More! Schedule a program or tour today!               “Thank you for taking us on a tour of the Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center. We were able to learn a lot about how the shelter is run and we now have a better understanding of how the community can help and hopefully we will be able to spread that message. We appreciate you taking time to show us around and maybe one day we can all help on different, higher levels.” - North Carolina State University Pre-Vet Club
Shelter Tours: Educational tours of the SPCA of Wake County Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center provide a unique opportunity for all ages to learn about the role of an animal shelter in the community while providing guidance on responsible pet care and animal welfare issues. Most tours last approximately 45 minutes.  Schedule a program or tour today!
Service Learning Opportunities: Engage your group with service learning and charitable activities and give something back! The SPCA of Wake County can provide guidance on service projects that educate groups while empowering them to help the homeless animals in our community. Check out the SPCA Service Guide for Kids to find out how to get involved today!