Humane Education that works with your curriculum!
WHY A VIRTUAL CLASS PET?
While spending time with animals undoubtedly a valuable learning experience for all ages and has benefits such as learning care and responsibility, relieving stress, and developing empathy, it is important to consider the animal’s experience. A bright and busy classroom is a good environment for children but is overwhelming to most animals. Despite the best of intentions, class pets may become neglected and ultimately unwanted as the school year ends.
By symbolically adopting a rescued animal resident of Charlie’s Acres as your class pet, you create a safe opportunity for kids to learn about animals that is inclusive regardless of the school’s budget and location, or any allergies of students.
While students are enrolled in virtual learning, a virtual class pet is still accessible and can be a fun bonding experience.
HUMANE EDUCATION
Did you know that many states have curriculum requirements for humane and character education? This education involves teaching children to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as respect, justice, and responsibility for self and others.
Teaching kindness to animals is a natural component of these efforts. Developing empathy towards animals can be a key step in developing empathy for and rejecting violence against all beings, including humans. With bullying and youth violence rampant in schools today, it is essential to teach compassion and encourage kindness in your students.
ANIMALS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO "ADOPT"
Honey
Did you know cows have to have a baby to produce milk? Sadly, as a result, many mother cows on dairy farms have lots of babies and are separated from them soon after birth. That’s why Honey’s story is so impactful: she was rescued before giving birth, and she and her son Benjamin get to live happily at our sanctuary together for the rest of their lives. Although Benjamin now towers over Honey, they still share an incredibly close bond. Honey is also a sweet, motherly figure to the other four cows in their herd, and people of all ages fall in love with her gentle and nurturing personality!
Gretel
Monroe
Harold
As a rooster, Harold is one of the most misunderstood beings in the world, and, just like many others of his kind, he was abandoned at a public park before a lucky turn of events brought him to live at our sanctuary. Roosters face many challenges due to the stigma of their signature crow, the stereotype that they are “aggressive,” and simply because they are not seen as worth caring for since they don’t provide us with eggs. In reality, roosters make wonderful and loving protectors to their families, bravely showing that they are even willing to risk their lives to protect the ones they love. Each rooster has his own personality, and we are happy to give each one the space to be who he is, whether he’s snuggly, feisty, shy, outgoing, and so much more. It’s so much fun watching Harold interact with his flock, always chatting with them, standing guard, and calling them over when he finds a yummy treat to share. While chickens are often thought of as “simple minded,” that couldn’t be further from the truth! Harold is a great example of how we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that when we take the time to understand chickens (and roosters in particular), they can really thrive, make wonderful friends, and teach us so much.
Ginger
Ginger was brought to Charlie’s Acres in the spring of 2019 by a teenage activist who negotiated with her former owner, a dairy farmer, to relinquish her. She arrived in extremely poor health due to severe neglect. Ginger was emaciated, full of parasites, and suffering from a life-threatening udder infection. We feared for Ginger’s survival during those first weeks and were thrilled as we saw her put on weight and gain strength. Now, she’s thriving in her forever home at Charlie’s Acres with her wonderful goat and chicken friends. Despite everything she’s been through, Ginger is incredibly sweet, forgiving, and trusting of humans. She loves receiving attention from humans, gluing herself to the side of visitors as they pet her and nuzzling them affectionately. Ginger’s story is a great example of why animals deserve a chance at life and to receive treatment when they’re sick, just as much as anyone else.
Roger
When Roger the sheep was a few years old, he lost his eyesight due to a head injury. Fortunately, he came to live at our sanctuary, but he was incredibly nervous and confused in the beginning. His fellow sheep immediately accepted him as a member of the flock and helped him learn to navigate his pasture without his eyes. He is now a happy-go-lucky, independent boy who loves to cuddle and eat bananas as a snack! Roger thrives thanks to the help of his friends, both human and nonhuman, in his time of need, and his story inspires us all to uplift those around us.
Naomi
[PLEASE NOTE: Naomi is not available to meet on Tuesdays because of her weekly physical therapy appointments.] Born on a neglectful hobby farm, Naomi’s early life was marred by a severe injury: she was stepped on by another animal, leaving her with a seriously damaged spine. Despite her challenges, Naomi has an incredible spirit and a strong will to live a happy life. She happily uses her wheelchair to get around and graze with her friends. Animals like Naomi are often overlooked and denied the specialized care they need simply because they are not as visible or celebrated as companion animals. However, we believe all animals deserve a chance at a happy life, no matter their species.
Petunia
Petunia spent the first year of her life in what we suspect was a cosmetics testing laboratory. She arrived at Charlie’s Acres covered in scabs and a rash, but her skin has improved thanks to regular skin condition treatments. She came to Charlie’s Acres on her first birthday and touched grass for the first time! Now, she loves being outside and is the last one to go to bed each night, always far out in the field snacking on grass until the last bit of sunlight disappears. When we’re able, choosing cruelty-free toiletries and cleaning supplies is a fantastic way to help animals like Petunia.
REGISTER YOUR CLASS
Charlie’s Acres’ Virtual Class Pet Program includes:
– An adoption certificate, photos, and information about your new class pet.
– Four 30 minute video calls with an animal caregiver and your class pet. These can be scheduled throughout the year, semester, or shorter unit, depending on your class’s needs. These calls will focus on humane education lessons that help students put themselves in an animal’s “shoes” and consider their feelings.
View our Virtual Class Pet Program curriculum.
This program is available for grades K-12 and is most appropriate for grades 2-8. For classes younger than Kindergarten age, please feel free to reach out to jenny@charliesacres.org for additional humane education options.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM FOR THE ’24-’25 SCHOOL YEAR.
Ask a parent or donor to sponsor your class by sending them this link!