As we roll over into a new school year, be sure to check out our upcoming program series with the Richmond SPCA. Whether you are the ulti-mutt dog lover or just starting to look for your new best fur-end, these events are sure to be a real treat. Read on for more details and to find pet-related books that pair paw-somely with these opportunities.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Registration is required for all upcoming programs with the SPCA:
- Sit, Stay, Read: A Community Service Opportunity with the Richmond SPCA
- Wednesday, September 3, 6-7PM at Tuckahoe
- Get back into the swing of school by practicing your reading to hand-picked dogs from the SPCA. These good pups are the best listeners, and they can't wait to hear your story. Afterwards, make a bookmark that will be donated to a local senior living community! Please remember to bring your community service paperwork with you if it needs to be signed. Participants will interact with a dog and will be required to sign a waiver. Waivers will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event.
- Dog Training with the Richmond SPCA
- Thursday, September 11, 6-7PM at Fairfield
- Do you want your dog to be more paw-lite? Whether you are a first-time dog owner, curious about dog ownership, or just love animals—check out this dog training workshop presented by the Richmond SPCA. A trainer from the SPCA, and a furry guest, will cover clicker training as well as responsible dog ownership and safety. It is sure to be a pawsitively fun time! Participants will interact with a dog and will be required to sign a waiver. Waivers will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event.
- Understanding Dog Behavior with the Richmond SPCA
- Tuesday, September 30, 6-7PM at Libbie Mill
- Does your dog drive you mutts? Why do dogs act the way they do—we'll tell you why! You'll also learn about the importance of enrichment for pets and then make an enrichment toy to take home to your pet or donate to a pet in our shelter! Participants will interact with a dog and will be required to sign a waiver. Waivers will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event.
ANIMAL READS FOR TEENS
Nonfiction
- Beastly Brains: Exploring How Animals Talk, Think, and Feel by Nancy F. Castaldo (also available on Hoopla)
- Learn more about animal intelligence while also gaining a better understanding of the human brain.
- The Elephant Whisperer [Young Readers' Edition]: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony
- Lawrence Anthony bonds with elephants when he gives a large herd a home on his South African reserve.
- Inside of a Dog [Young Readers' Edition]: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz
- Scientist and dog-owner, Alexandra Horowitz, explores how dogs interact with their daily worlds and their human companions.
- No Better Friend: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II by Robert Weintraub (also available on Hoopla)
- This is the true story of Frank Williams, a radarman in Britain's Royal Air Force, and Judy, a purebred pointer, who becomes a fierce protector of Williams and other POWs in a World War II prisoner camp.
Fiction
- Cassandra, Animal Psychic series by Isabelle Bottier (also available on Hoopla)
- Cassandra uses her undisclosed psychic talents to help pets and their people, all while dealing with ups and downs in her own life.
- Gather by Kenneth Cadow (also available on Hoopla)
- Ian Gray and his dog, Gather, work to keep their family together, but when tragedy strikes, they face an uncertain future.
- Lovely Muco! series by Takayuki Mizushina
- Muco, the Shiba dog, spends her days with her owner, Komatsu-san, a glassmith.
- Me & Mr. Cigar by Gibby Haynes (also available on Hoopla)
- Oscar and his dog, Mr. Cigar, fight off evil forces while trying to rescue Oscar’s sister.
- Riding Chance by Christine Kendall
- After getting into trouble, thirteen-year-old Troy is sentenced to work in the Philadelphia stables where he learns the sport of polo with a mare named Chance.
GET INVOLVED
In addition to the Richmond SPCA, the Henrico Humane Society is a wonderful organization for those interested in fostering, adopting, or volunteering their time to support animals in need. The volunteer-run, foster-based, non-profit organization rescues dogs and cats from across Central Virginia and works to place them in loving homes. Check out their Volunteer page to learn more about their Foster Fur Credit program and recommendations for junior volunteers.