Dogs Shelters in Broward County

Shelter tours are available for school groups and other community groups (church groups, scout troops, day care centers, camps, etc.). Tour groups are engaged in an age-appropriate humane education lesson and are taken on a tour of the shelter where they will see all of our adoptable animals.

Tours are free for non-profit groups, but a $60 fee is required for for-profit agencies to book a tour. Tour groups should consist of at least 5 but no more than 30 children.

Visitors MUST be at least 5 years in age. Tours typically last 1 – 1 ½ hours. Tours are held Monday through Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the last tour starting at 5:30 p.m. To schedule a tour, please call 954-266-6848.

CLINIC TOURS

Clinic tours are available to school groups, grades 9th-12th. These tours are typically reserved for students in Health Services programs. Clinic tour groups will be engaged in a presentation about the Humane Society of Broward County and the pet overpopulation problem we face. Then the group is taken on a tour of the shelter as well as our spay/neuter clinic, where students will see our veterinary staff in action. This tour is a real treat for those interested in seeing spay/neuter surgery live and up close!

Clinic tours typically last 1 ½ – 2 hours and begin at 10:30 a.m. It is strongly preferred that clinic tours consist of no more than 20 students. To schedule a clinic tour, please call 954-266-6848.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS

The Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC) is approved by the School Board of Broward County to offer our Humane Education and Shelter Tour lessons to Broward County students. To schedule a presentation at your school, please call 954-266-6848.

Can the representative bring a dog to the presentation?
The HSBC has approval by the Broward County School Board to involve our Certified Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs and Education Dogs in our Humane Education presentations. However, it is up to the discretion of each individual school principal whether or not a dog is welcome at the school. Requests for a dog to accompany a speaker are granted whenever possible, though not all of our representatives have dogs.

How do the HSBC’s Humane Education lessons support my goals in the classroom?
Broward Schools mandates the teaching of Character Education traits, specifically: responsibility, citizenship, kindness, respect, honesty, self-control, tolerance and cooperation. These Character Education themes are intertwined throughout all of our Humane Education lessons. In many ways, Character Education is synonymous with Humane Education. Humane Education is the use of education to nurture compassion and respect for living things. It includes fostering compassion and respect of other people, non-human animals and the environment. It provides facts about related issues, encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, instills reverence, respect, and responsibility, and offers positive choices and tools for problem solving.

“Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as
valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.”
– Bradley Miller

THE PET SUITCASE
A hands-on lesson that teaches children the huge responsibility of caring for a dog or a cat. Children will learn how to be a good pet parent. They will unpack a real pet’s suitcase, identifying the importance of each item to the pet’s welfare.
Length: 20-30 minutes.
Grades: VPK-5.

PET SAFETY
Children are the number one victims of dog bites! Often children do not know the proper way to greet an animal, when to leave an animal alone and what to do if a stray animal approaches. This lesson will teach children all the basics to keep them safe and keep our animals happy.
Length: 20-30 minutes.
Grades: VPK-5.

ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS TOO!
Children will learn that animals share some emotions in common with humans and though we do not speak the same native language as dogs and cats, we can learn to understand them by observing their body language. The knowledge gained in this lesson will help children learn to interact safely with dogs and cats.
Length: 45 minutes.
Grades: 2-12.

ABC’S OF ANIMAL CARE
Children will learn the basics of caring for some common types of pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets. They will learn about each animal’s feeding, exercise, housing, social, grooming, and veterinary needs.
Length: 1 hour.
Grades: 2-12.

CAREER DAY
Career Day planners will welcome this presentation that introduces students to jobs and careers at the Humane Society of Broward County. Children will act out and dress up in costumes to demonstrate jobs at the shelter caring for animals. Please book your Career Day presentation early in the school year to ensure availability!
Length: 20-30 minutes.
Grades: 2-12.

PET OVERPOPULATION
This hands-on activity teaches students about the tragedy of pet overpopulation. More than 500 dogs and cats per week become homeless in Broward County. This lesson teaches students the importance of spaying and neutering, adopting from a shelter, and making a lifetime commitment to their pet at home.
Length: 45 minutes.
Grades: 3-12.

HUMANE SOCIETY 101
Why must animal shelters exist? What role does the Humane Society of Broward County play in the community? How can young people help homeless animals? All of these questions and more will be answered in this lesson that teaches an overview on animal sheltering.
Length: 45 minutes.
Grades: 3-12.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PIT BULLS
Dogs commonly referred to as Pit Bulls are some the most abused, mistreated and misunderstood breeds of dog. Students will learn about the myths and misconceptions surrounding Pit Bulls and the important role that dog owners play in keeping communities safe.
Length: 1 hour.
Grades: 6-12.

PUPPY MILLS
Learn about where the Humane Society of the United States says that more than 90% of pet store puppies come from: puppy mills. The public is largely unaware of the heartbreaking history of many of these dogs. Students will learn proactive ways they can help put an end to this cruel practice.
Length: 1 hour.
Grades: 6-12.

GET ACTIVE FOR ANIMALS
This lesson encourages students to get involved and work together to make a difference in their community by helping animals in need by fighting pet overpopulation, dog fighting and puppy mills. Students also learn about ways they can earn Service Learning Hours for school through the HSBC.