PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION

FREE school workshops! 03000 999 999

scottishspca.org

Our FREE Prevention Through Education Programme

• It’s FREE • It’s interactive • Pupils gain an understanding of how they can be

‘responsible animal citizens’

• Our approach means pupils realise what

they have learned is important, which helps them become ‘confident individuals’

• It involves group work to encourage pupils to be

‘effective contributors’

• Activities focus on literacy, communication and

numeracy, which encourages pupils to be ‘successful learners’

• Targets first and second curriculum levels

Scottish SPCA The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) is Scotland’s animal welfare charity. We are completely separate from the RSPCA, which operates in England and Wales only. We receive no government or lottery funding and rely on public donations to continue our vital work rescuing and rehoming Scotland’s abused, abandoned and injured animals. Scottish SPCA inspectors and animal rescue officers save thousands of domestic, farm and wild animals from harm and danger every year, while our rescue and rehoming centre vets and staff look after, rehabilitate, release and find new homes for thousands more.

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Curriculum links

• Health and wellbeing • Expressive arts • Social studies • Sciences • Religious and moral education • Mathematics • Languages

An opportunity for team work, role play, setting priorities, discussion and debate

Links with health and wellbeing:

Making a difference:

• Encourages children to voice their views and

We recently evaluated the impact our Prevention through Education programme is having on primary aged pupils. This was a collaborative research project with the University of Edinburgh and involved over 1,000 pupils participating. Results from the evaluation indicated positive changes in children’s knowledge, measures of empathy, attitudes and responsibility towards animals and children’s belief in animal mind following participation in one of our workshops. These are very exciting findings which highlights that our workshops can truly make a difference towards changing the future for animal welfare.



experiences, including particular choices they can make in relation to animal welfare

• Encourages children to act as positive role models

for others within their communities

• Encourages children to learn about potential career

opportunities with animals

Links with literacy and numeracy:

• Our workshops use a variety of materials which

encourage different levels of reading

• We encourage class discussions and ask pupils to

explain their thinking to others

• Topic specific group work encourages pupils

to learn collaboratively, for example when problem solving

• Our unique card game encourages children

to understand and interpret information by learning facts about animals

• Our workshops highlight how important the use

of numeracy is in the jobs we do

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Scottish SPCA visit We offer P4 – P7 classes:

• A choice of four interactive workshops • A follow-up teacher activity pack • An opportunity to play the Scottish SPCA’s new

Our unique card game encourages children to understand and interpret information

card game ‘Animal Knowledge’

• An opportunity for team work, role play, setting

priorities, discussion and debate

• An opportunity to learn about careers with animals and bring

real-life experiences into the classroom

You can choose from the following FREE workshops...

Animal 999 Scotland This workshop is a great introduction to our work in the community and beyond. Pupils are supplied with pictures of typical litter items which cause harm to animals, and have to assess them in relation to the risk they may present. This is a great activity for teamwork and debate. They will also observe video clips of animals in our care. By playing our exciting card game, Animal Knowledge, pupils will learn facts about animals such as diet and habitats.

Wild about animals This workshop introduces pupils to the diverse range of wildlife in Scotland. The pupils will focus on wild animals staying at the wildlife rescue centre and their release, and using the wheel activity game they will be encouraged to select factors relevant to that animal’s release such as habitat and diet. This workshop encourages literacy skills and discussion.

Testimonials “Inspiring, I learned in a fun way, very educational, really liked the card game, made me think about ways I can help animals. After hearing the effect of litter on wild animals, a group of 6 children volunteered to go litter picking at lunchtime.” King’s Meadow PS, East Lothian

Pet patrol This workshop focuses on the responsibility of having a pet in your home. The pupils will be provided with picture cards of items they may need to purchase when bringing home a new pet. This teaches them how to be responsible citizens, aids numeracy skills and helps them to interpret information. The group will also observe videos of animals that have come into our centres and their journey to a new home.

Food and farming One of the roles of a Scottish SPCA inspector is to inspect farms. In this workshop pupils will watch two videos from the point of view of the inspector, and then engage in a discussion regarding the farm animal’s needs. This activity encourages the group to identify hazards and think about what is needed to care for animals on Scottish farms.

“Class really enjoyed the visit and so did the teacher!” Alva PS, Clackmannanshire

“Children were engaged for the whole talk! Thoroughly enjoyable!” St.Bridget’s PS, Glasgow City

“Another super interactive visit from the Scottish SPCA. Children very interested and engaged.” Pirnmill PS, North Ayrshire

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Visit our centres Visits can be made to four of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where children can see first-hand how we help Scotland’s animals.

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Aberdeenshire, AB31 5AJ Dunbartonshire & West of Scotland, G82 2UA Glasgow, G52 3RY Lanarkshire, ML3 0SB

Scottish SPCA animal rescue and rehoming centres across Scotland care for thousands of abused, abandoned and injured animals every year. Our team of dedicated vets and staff look after, rehabilitate and rehome a huge variety of animals, from dogs, cats, rabbits and other domestic pets to horses, farm and exotic animals.

Visiting our centres encourages a sense of social responsibility for animals and the environment in which they live

Education resources Although we do not actively fundraise while visiting schools, information on the work of the Scottish SPCA and fundraising opportunities can be provided on request for the following:

• Pre-schools • Primary schools • Secondary schools • Community groups

You can request information using the form on page 16 of this booklet 16

Scottish SPCA card game

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Created by the Scottish SPCA, our Animal Knowledge card game gives descriptions of animals and pupils have to guess the animal. The descriptions focus on the classification, appearance, behaviour and environment of a number of animals living across Scotland, and incorporates an interesting fact about each animal as a clue.

Glow You can find us on Glow. Schools can join our group, view video clips and download resources. Pupils can also upload their pictures, ask questions and give feedback.

Activity sheets You will find four sets of activity sheets in this booklet which will help teachers continue work in the classroom following a Scottish SPCA workshop. There is one sheet for each topic aimed at P4 – 7. There is also an activity sheet specifically aimed at P1 – 3.

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Animal priorities

ACTIVITY SHEET

Task A

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officers and inspectors respond to thousands of calls every year. It is important that they prioritise their tasks each day to ensure animals in need of urgent help are attended to first. Below are details of three calls received by the Scottish SPCA animal helpline. Imagine you are the animal rescue officer and decide how you would prioritise these tasks.

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Swan with fishing line and hook caught around its beak A family have noticed a swan in their local pond has wire hanging from its beak. They think it may be a fishing hook and line and the swan doesn’t seem interested in any food when the family try to feed him.

2 Seal alone on the beach A group of children who were playing on their local beach have come across a large white furred seal. The seal doesn’t look injured and is quite big but it is alone and the children are worried it is lost. One of the children has asked their mum to call our animal helpline.

3 Calf stuck on a cliff Two hillwalkers have come across a calf which is stuck on a cliff side. They are not sure who the calf belongs to and they are concerned it may fall. To carry out these jobs, inspectors and animal rescue officers always need to make sure they have the correct equipment in their vans.

Task B

Task C Can you guess these four common animals that the Scottish SPCA rescue each year?

Can you find the following pieces of equipment that an inspector and animal rescue officer would use in the wordsearch below? GRASPER

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Task A

Animal priorities

ANSWERS

With these three rescues it is important to note that although the calf is in the most danger, as a number of people would be required to assist, it would take time to organise a rescue. This means phone calls could be made to organise other animal rescue officers to help and the correct equipment on route to rescuing the swan. Rescue 1: Swan. The swan would be rescued first as it will not be able to feed properly if it does have a fishing line and hook caught around its beak and it may need veterinary treatment. Unfortunately, this is a common rescue. We rely on the public to be responsible animal citizens by ensuring they take lines and hooks home with them after a fishing trip and to always phone our animal helpline (03000 999 999) when an animal needs help. Rescue 2: Calf. The calf would be very scared and it won’t have access to food or water. There is the risk that it may fall further down the cliff. This rescue would take some time and would require more than one animal rescue officer or inspector. This would also need to be done in daylight. Rescue 3: Seal. Seals will spend time by themselves. If the pup has white fur it will be a grey seal pup, born during the winter months. This pup will spend the first three weeks of its life on the beach and its mum will go out to sea to feed, come back to feed her pup and head back out to sea again. It is likely that this pup is in good health, particularly as the children say it is quite big and doesn’t look injured, but of course this will need to be checked.

Task B

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Extension Task Litter Hazards Animals often need our help when they become caught up in litter. Examples include: 1. A gull with its beak stuck in a drink can 2. A seal with a plastic bag on its flipper 3. A hedgehog with its head stuck in a plastic can holder Try to find out how long it would take for these items to break down in the environment. What can we do to prevent animals being hurt and injured by our rubbish?

Food and farm animal welfare

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ACTIVITY SHEET

Task A

When a Scottish SPCA inspector visits a farm they check the animals’ condition, where they are being kept and if they have access to food, water and shelter. They also check if there are any dangers to the animals.

Farmers run their farms and look after their animals very well in Scotland. However, occasionally we get a report that a farmer isn’t providing the best care they can for their animals. The following story is an example where living conditions for the animals could be improved. Read the story, think about the hazards Inspector Moss discovered on her visit and write the list of jobs you think she has given to the farmer. Inspector Moss received a call saying a herd of cattle on a farm does not have access to food, water or shelter. As she drives up to the farm she stops to look at the fields. She notices a gap in the fence and barbed wire lying across the farm track. String used to tie the gap in the fence has broken and is wrapped around one of the fence posts. On entering the farm yard, Inspector Moss drives around the broken cattle grid and parks in front of the barn. Inspector Moss puts on her wellington boots, disinfects them and walks towards the farmer’s house, being careful not to trip on old plastic feed bags. The farmer comes out of his house and takes Inspector Moss to the barn where the cattle are living. The cattle are in a good condition and have access to food, water and shelter. Inspector Moss gives the farmer an animal welfare notice, which is a list of jobs he should do on the farm to ensure that the cattle are not in danger. She tells the farmer she will visit again to make sure that all the jobs have been completed.

Task B

Task C Can you guess the four common farm animals that live in Scotland using the picture clues below?

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Think about why we have farm animals in Scotland. What do the animals listed below produce and what do they need to be safe and healthy? • Cow • Sheep • Chicken • Alpaca

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• Deer • Salmon • Pig

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Farm and food animal welfare

ANSWERS

Task A

• Fix the gap in the fence • Remove the barbed wire lying across the farm track • Remove the string wrapped around a post which could be a choking hazard • Fix the broken cattle grid • Remove the old plastic feed bags

Task B

Task C

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Sheep

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Cow

Type of farm animal

Pig

Produce?

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Chicken

Needs?

Cow

Beef, dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt, cream), pate, veal (calves) and leather

Shelter, space, access to outdoors, fresh water, grass and silage in winter

Sheep

Mutton (older sheep), lamb, cheese, milk, haggis and wool

Shelter, space, access to outdoors, fresh water, grass and silage in winter

Chicken

Chicken, pate and eggs

Shelter, space, access to outdoors, fresh water, pelleted food and grass

Alpaca

Wool

Shelter, space, access to outdoors, fresh water, pelleted food, grass and silage in winter

Deer

Venison

Shelter, space, access to outdoors, fresh water and pelleted food

Salmon

Salmon

Clean water, space and food

Pig

Pork, sausages, bacon and ham

Mud for outdoor pigs (which acts as sunscreen and stops insects biting), shelter, straw to make/ build a nest, space, access to outdoors, fresh water and food

Extension Task In groups choose one of the farm animals listed above and draw a picture showing everything each animal would need to keep it healthy and happy. Think about whether it likes to live alone and where it would go in bad weather.

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Pet for life challenge

ACTIVITY SHEET

Task A

The Scottish SPCA helps thousands of abused and neglected animals each year, in particular pet animals. Many people take on pets without thinking about what their ownership responsibilities are and the time and costs involved when taking care of an animal.

You have been asked to go shopping for the following items. Can you identify the item and which animals the items are used for?

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Task B In groups, choose a pet from the following: dog, cat, rabbit and iguana. Imagine you are rehoming this pet from one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres. Research everything you would need to buy before you can take your new pet home and how much it would cost.

Task C Imagine you are looking after a dog, cat, rabbit or iguana for one week. Write a diary about how you would care for this animal, remembering you would still need to go to school each day.

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Pets for life challenge

Task A

Item

ANSWERS

Animals

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UV lamp

Terrapins, Lizards, Tortoise

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Bed

Dogs

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Water bottle

Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Gerbils, Hamsters

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Bed

Cats

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Food trough

Budgies, Cockatiels

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Food and water bowls

Cats, Dogs

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Waste bags

Dogs

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Toys

Dogs (but all animals need toys)

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Bird treats

Budgies, Cockatiels

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Hay

Rabbits, Guinea pigs

Task B

Consider the following when discussing these animals: • • • • •

What would it eat? What would it drink? Where would it sleep? Does it need to be kept in a cage, tank or hutch? What exercise will it need?

Task C

Example time schedule Rosie the rabbit During the week: 07:00 Feed Rosie fresh hay, rabbit mix food and fresh vegetables. Change the water in her water bottle and dish. Change her litter tray. 08:00 Go to school. 16:00 Play with Rosie. Give her some space to exercise. 17:00 Make sure there is fresh hay and food in her hutch and that her water bottle has been changed with fresh water. If she is kept outside make sure all the latches on her hutch are secure. Weekend: Do the same as during the week and also clean her hutch out completely, give Rosie new bedding and change the litter in her tray. Spend extra time playing with and grooming Rosie.

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Wildlife alert challenge

ACTIVITY SHEET

The Scottish SPCA has a National Wildlife Rescue Centre which allows us to rescue and rehabilitate up to 5,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals each year. It is also the only centre in Scotland with facilities to care for oiled birds, with staff being able to treat and care for up to 1,000 oiled bird casualties at any one time.

Task A

Can you guess what the wild animal is from the pictures below?

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Can you guess what the animal is from the descriptions below? a

I am one of the heaviest flying birds I sometimes get caught up in fishing line and hooks I have a long neck which helps me feed on plants at the bottom of a pond



When I am young I am called a cygnet

b I am nocturnal I like to eat insects, snails, frogs and bird eggs I like to hibernate in the winter I can have up to 6,500 spines which help protect me from predators c I am nocturnal I have sharp, taloned feet One of my ears is higher on my head than the other I like to hunt for mice among farmland, grassland and woodland d

I have sharp, curved claws which help me climb tree trunks, branches and walls I have strong hind legs to help me leap gaps between trees I do not like to share my food with others and prefer to live alone My nest is called a drey

Task B The animals described above have been patients at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre. When we release an animal back into the wild it is important we choose a suitable environment. For example, it is important that the animal has access to water, the right type of food and shelter. In groups, choose one of the animals you have guessed correctly from the clues above and draw a poster showing interesting facts about that animal and what it needs to be healthy and happy.

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Task A

Wildlife alert challenge 1

Badger

a Swan

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Otter

b Hedgehog

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Bat

c Owl

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Fox

d Squirrel

ANSWERS

Extension Task As a class, draw a poster to tell the rest of the school how they can be responsible wild animal citizens in your area. The following points may help you. Be a responsible wild animal citizen • Always tell a responsible adult to phone the Scottish SPCA animal helpline if you find an injured wild animal. • Never touch or pick up a wild animal. • Try not to disturb bird or hedgehog nests. • Leave baby animals in the wild unless they are injured. • Ask an adult to check there are no hedgehogs under a bonfire before it is lit. • Always put litter in the bin. • Provide shelter for animals, such as bird and bat boxes. • If possible, have lots of plants in your garden to provide food for animals. • Ask adults to be careful when using pesticides in gardens. • Always keep dogs under control when outdoors, especially near wildlife.

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Helping animals

TEACHERS NOTES

Task A

These activities are specifically aimed at P1 – 3

Sometimes when the Scottish SPCA is called out to rescue an animal they can be difficult to find. Imagine that you are each of these animals. How would you sound? How would you move? Where would you be hiding? FOX

OTTER

PIGEON

DEER

Task B

Draw a picture of where you think each of these animals might live and what they would like to have in their homes (trees for shelter, water, food etc.)

Discover what wildlife is living in your playground or at your local park. Look for signs of wildlife (footprints, feathers, nests, food sources, dens, burrows etc.)

Task C

Can you guess what each of the animals are in the pictures below?

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3

4

Task D

Photocopy the picture sheet below and ask the children if they can match the farm animal to the food it produces. What else might these animals produce? (lamb, beef, sausages, cheese etc.)

Upside down: Task C answers 1) Goldfish 2) Cat 3) Terrapin 4) Guinea pig

How you can help Help save Scotland’s animals from abuse, neglect and injury

Call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 if you see an animal in distress

)

Fundraising We receive no government or lottery funding and rely on donations to continue our vital work. You can request a fundraising information pack by completing the order form in this booklet. Why not fundraise for us and put your money towards sponsoring a space?

Sponsor a Space Your sponsorship, which lasts for a full year, will help pay for food and veterinary treatment of the animals cared for in the ‘space’ you have chosen to sponsor. Sponsors will have their name displayed at the centre they have chosen and will receive a certificate of thanks, a window sticker and an update letter about one of the animals their sponsorship has helped along with a photo.

Rehoming Scottish SPCA animal rescue and rehoming centre staff rehome thousands of animals every year. Visit our online rehoming section at scottishspca.org/rehoming to view some of our dogs, cats, rabbits and many more animals looking for new homes. Our animal rescue and rehoming centres are open to the public seven days a week, 10am to 4pm.

Donate food You can donate food for the rescue dogs, cats and other animals in our care at any of our animal rescue and rehoming centres. Whether it’s tins, dried food or treats, all donations are very gratefully received! We also have special food collection boxes which can be placed in shops, offices and other outlets in your local community. Once they’re full they can either be handed into one of our centres or we’ll arrange for them to be collected.

Recycle and help the Scottish SPCA You can donate to the Scottish SPCA by recycling your mobile phones, printer cartridges, electronics, foreign currency and jewellery. What a great way to be eco-friendly and help Scotland’s animals at the same time!

For further information please call 03000 999 999 or visit scottishspca.org

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03000 999 999

[email protected]

FEEDBACK SHEET Date of visit



Local authority

School name

Class

Please take a few moments to answer the questions below Topic (please tick):

Did all sessions start at the pre-arranged times?

Animal 999

Wild about animals

Pet patrol

Food and farming

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

If not, why?

Was the workshop interactive enough? Comments:

Were the animal welfare messages clear? Comments:

In what areas do you feel the programme links with the Curriculum for Excellence? Responsible citizens

Confident individuals

Effective contributors

Successful learners

Expressive arts

Religious and moral education

Health and wellbeing

Sciences

Languages

Mathematics

Social studies

Technologies

Car stickers

Activity pack

Other (please specify)

What materials were left behind? Animal stickers

Please rate your visit:

Poor

Excellent

Any further comments?

)

Complete and return the form

)

Visit

)

Fax



by freepost in the envelope provided

scottishspca.org/education 01383 841 049

(or to RSAH-KYLH-XUAT Scottish SPCA, Dunfermline, KY11 8RY)

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How to book

) ) @ @ )  ) 

Call free on 03000 999 999 Email: [email protected] Visit: scottishspca.org/education Complete the booking form below and return

Name of school or community group Full postal address

Postcode Contact name Phone number Email

Type of visit (please tick)

3

Scottish SPCA visit to you

School

Community group

Scottish SPCA centre visit

School

Community group

Number of classes interested

Resources (please tick)

3



Pre-school pack



Primary pack



Secondary pack



Community group pack



Fundraising pack



Scottish SPCA card game



(£2 per pack + £1.50 postage and packing) Quantity



Payment by cheque or postal order only.



Please make cheques payable to Scottish SPCA.

Please return this form to: Scottish SPCA Education, Kingseat Road, Halbeath, Dunfermline KY11 8RY

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03000 999 999

scottishspca.org Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kingseat Road, Halbeath, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8RY | Scottish Charity No. SC 006467