** Please note this program is currently on hold **

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Wondering how to engage your children in animal welfare? Are you looking for something for your kids to do during the school holidays?

We've got the perfect solution!

Perfect for young animal lovers, the RSPCA School Holiday Program offers a fun, activity-packed day for primary school-aged children (between 7-10 years old).

These 1-day workshops offer a behind-the-scenes look at the RSPCA Animal Care Centre, including safe interaction with animals in our care.

Find out more about:

• what's included in the program
• who will be looking after your child
• what it costs
• how to check availability and book a space
• what your child needs to bring with them on the day
• other important information
• terms and conditions.

 

What's included in the RSPCA School Holiday Program?

Each 1-day session includes:

• Educational presentation about the work of the RSPCA and how we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals
• Basic skills demonstration of animal training and safety around animals
• Arts and craft activities - make toys or treats for shelter animals
• Interaction with animals - reading to dogs or cats, and feeding pocket pets 
• Animal scavenger hunt around our site

Each child will receive an RSPCA pack of information and activities that they will use on the day and can take home with them.

 

Who's involved in running the sessions?

The RSPCA WA School Holiday Program is run by experienced volunteers and staff. All team members involved in supervising your children have received a Working With Children check from the WA Government.

Throughout the day, your child will also interact with other staff and volunteers for short sessions, like dog behaviour training, feeding animals, or reading to shelter animals. These activities will always have a WWC-checked staff member or volunteer present.

 

How much does the RSPCA School Holiday Program cost?

The cost for the 1-day program is $80 per child.

  

What will my child need to bring with them?

To protect the health and safety of your child, we require them to bring:

• Closed in shoes (sneakers are OK)
• Long, sturdy pants, such as jeans (NO shorts)
• Outdoor protective clothing (hat, sunscreen and short or long-sleeve shirt)
• Wet weather gear if rain is forecast (raincoat, a towel)
• Any medications that will need to be administered, with basic instructions for staff/volunteers.

Your child will also need to bring their own lunch, and a water bottle with their name on it.

 

Other information you need to know

Access to animals

Due to the nature of the animals at our shelter, participants need to be aware that direct animal content might not always be possible. The animals in our care on the day may not cope well with children, and for your child's safety and the wellbeing of the animals, direct interaction may not be safe or appropriate.

Allergens & medical conditions

Our shelter uses peanut butter as part of the enrichment program for the animals. If your child is allergic to peanuts, has other ground-nut allergies or you have concerns, please contact us prior to registrations. 

If your child has any medical conditions that we should be made aware of, you will need to contact us prior to registration to discuss how these might impact on the day, and how our staff and volunteers might be able to accommodate any requirements.

 

Terms and Conditions

To protect the health and safety of your child and the welfare of the animals in our care, you will be required to agree to the full terms and conditions, as stated and without amendment. Without this agreement, your child will not be permitted to participate in the program.

You can download a copy of our School Holiday Program terms and conditions here.