Field trip to high kill shelters

[selzer]

I have been to kill shelters, but they did not expose me to the killing room. There is not a big sign on the door that says, "We are a KILL shelter."

It is sad, there are barking dogs in cages, and stink, and urine and fecies, and matted dogs, and uncaring workers there. I remember very little more than that of my visit to the Cleveland shelter so many years ago.

I cannot imagine a field trip showing kids them the actual process of putting dogs to sleep. I would hope that the school would get together with the shelter and provide age-appropriate content to the field trip.

[katieliz]

we have a wonderful no kill humane society here in ann arbor, the difference in the "vibe" at that facility and some of the kill shelters (we even have two in michigan i believe who still gas) i've been to is TOTALLY different. even the animals sense it.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by selzer

I have been to kill shelters, but they did not expose me to the killing room. There is not a big sign on the door that says, "We are a KILL shelter."

It is sad, there are barking dogs in cages, and stink, and urine and fecies, and matted dogs, and uncaring workers there. I remember very little more than that of my visit to the Cleveland shelter so many years ago.

I cannot imagine a field trip showing kids them the actual process of putting dogs to sleep. I would hope that the school would get together with the shelter and provide age-appropriate content to the field trip.

I have never seen the "killing" room in the shelter either, it is exactly as you describe-what you see are the dogs in runs barking up a storm. Our city's is decently clean-only slightly stinky. I'd let my child go on a field trip there anytime provided that they were old enough to understand the importance of not sticking their hand through the cage.

[Tiffseagles]

I voted that it depends on age. 13+ definitely.

[WaterBound]

Most Animal Shelters I know have a ZERO tolerance policy on touching any of the dogs unless the are cleared and you want to adopt one.

So the question is how are you going to prevent a school trip full of kids from playing with all of those animals? You won't be able to and the kids will get pathogens.

[dogsnkiddos]

Since we have adopted from such shelters I have taken my kids. We talk about the fate of animals and shelters all the time. I live in back woods idiotville so we get to see "stellar" examples of pet ownership regularly. It is always a learning opportunity.

I am a girl scout troop leader. Our troop has girls from age 4 to age 17 in one troop. I am dead honest with them about everything and try to help them see things in ways they may not have considered or even had suggested. I have taken them to high kill shelters and they now volunteer. They have taken it beyond just that- they have instituted education programs and workshops for friends, church groups, etc. I think the raw honesty was essential to instilling new attitudes in the next generation.

[hannibalGSD]

I used to go on field trips like this in elementary school. YOUNG, like 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade. We visted places like old folks homes etc. I dont think I even paid attention. It was a day off school for me, nothing really sunk in.

[Knave]

I voted that I'd allow them to go based on age but, I would rather be with them. Partially due to similar reasons voiced here in the lack of faith in the public education system and partially because I feel like the concept of a 'kill' shelter would be something I'd want to discuss afterwards with my children.

I'd want to make sure they weren't traumatized and also stress how important it is when you take responsibility of an animal.

[selzer]

When I lived in Cleveland, I went to this tiny Christian School, one class per grade, and until bussing started in Cleveland, those classes had as few as 16 students. Everyone knew everyone. The only place I remember them taking us was the zoo. Pretty sad too because the museums in Cleveland are really good and I think free to enter. But perhaps they just did not have the funds to take us anywhere.

when I was ten I moved to a tiny village in a rural county, but the school had six sixth grades. We went to the Museums in Cleveland, NASA, and the West Side Market, and Dearborn Michigan. My suggestion for the science club trip in Grade 11 was the zoo, so we went there too.

We never did anything at school to teach us things about social awareness, other than drug and alcohol awareness. We did not visit orphanages, centers for abused women and children, shelters for homeless people or animals, prisons, welfare offices. They did teach us how to read, write, spell and figure though.

I agree that kids do not need to presented with issues that they cannot prevent. This dog will die if no one adopts him before tomorrow. I don't like to see children used to forward any social or political agenda, even if I agree with the agenda. It puts a nasty taste in my mouth to see kids who have no concept of the over all issue holding signs and protesting. I also do not agree with children being forced into doing volunteer work. If it is volunteer, it ought to be voluntary. Teach your kids by example, tell your kids why you are doing it when they ask, fine, no problem. Let them help if they want to. But forcing kids into awareness of adult problems, or pushing them to take part in things, I don't know it just makes me feel cheap, or like someone is trying to sell me something by presenting it through the kids.

[marshies]

I volunteered at the downtown Toronto shelter. It wasn't a depressing place to be at all. It's very clean, and all the dogs are walked several times a day by staff and volunteers. Before I volunteered, I'd sometimes come in after work to go to the cat room and play with cats. There are alot of volunteers there who are very positive, so that helps the environment.

Would taking a young child there help them learn about responsible pet ownership? I think the only thing advantage it has over a classroom talk is the sensory impact of seeing so many animals in such a small place, and telling the kids that all of them have been abandoned.

I think pet ownership is a lesson worthy of teaching, I just don't know how much going to MY local shelter would help teach it.