AVA conducts various RPO talks in schools catering for both primary and secondary levels. The talks include a powerpoint presentation with pictures and videos which last for about 30 minutes with 10 minutes of Question and Answer.
Note: An LCD projector, and screen, as well as audio cords are required.
Schools visited may request to collect the "How to Take Care of Pets" booklet by filling up the Publications Request Form attached to the application form.
For all levels
Title: Responsible Pet Ownership
This is an introduction to pet ownership and a primer for other talks. It covers a wide range of topics from deciding whether to get a pet to general pet care. The audience is strongly encouraged to think carefully about owning a pet and not to abandon their pets. The talk for secondary schools is split into two parts.
For primary level
Pets are like Us! Are pets similar to us? Understanding that they have similar needs to ours can help children relate better to pets and animals in general. This talk will help young audiences develop greater compassion and respect for pets and other animals.
Pet Abandonment & Strays
Everyone has most likely seen a stray cat or dog before but where do they come from and what happens to them? Both pet owners’ and non-pet owners’ actions can affect stray situation. This talk will discuss these actions and their consequences.
For secondary level
Pets & Us Parts I & II
Part I is the Responsible Pet Ownership talk for secondary audiences. It is a foundation talk that introduces the responsibilities of a pet owner and consequences of pet abandonment.
Part II continues with topics such as the illegal keeping of exotic animals, microchipping, sterilisation and pet related laws.
Pet Myths, Pet Abandonment & Strays, Handling Pets and all talks on Specific Pets (listed above) are also suitable.
Applying for a school talk
To apply for a school talk, you may do one of the following:
Canceling or postponing a talk
To cancel or postpone a school talk, you may do one of the following:
The Centre for Animal Welfare and Control conducts various talks at their centre. Below are some general information on our talks. For more details, please contact us:
General information:
Minimum no. of participants: 30
Maximum no. of participants: 40
Duration of Talk: 1 ½ hours
Talk content: Talk, video, gallery tour and interaction with pets
Free: How to Take Care of Pets booklet
Pet Workbook : Download a completely reproducible book of worksheets on Responsible Pet Ownership topics, especially for primary school aged children.
Teachers' Guide to the Pet Workbook : Use the Teachers' guide to create lesson plans and check answers to questions in the worksheets contained in the Pet Workbook.
How to Take Care of Pets Booklet: This 36 page full colour booklet on nine different types of pets is given out free to schools at which RPO talks are given.
The Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) Pet Pal Badge is a new programme specially designed to encourage students to learn more about RPO and animal welfare through the completion of RPO activities.
All primary schools in Singapore have been sent a RPO Pet Pal Badge Programme Kit (picture on left), which contains all the necessary items for embarking on the programme. These are:
· the AVA RPO video
· relevant publications
instruction booklet
· a sample Pet Pal badge.
Through the school, AVA will provide a RPO Pet Pal badge to each student who completes the programme.
Step 1:
Schools that decide to embark on the programme inform AVA of their intended commencement and completion dates.
Step 2:
Teachers in charge brief participating students and guide them in completing three RPO related activities, using the booklet included in the RPO Pet Pal Badge Programme kit) for activity ideas and resources.
Step 3:
Upon completion, teachers in charge request for a free RPO Pet Pal badge for each student.
For more information on this programme, please contact Ms Sherry Nee, at tel: 6325 7420 or email:
sherry_nee@ava.gov.sg
AVA has developed a Responsible Pet Ownership Skit programme that will help to bring important animal welfare and responsible pet ownership messages to students in a fun manner. Not only will a story on stage grab their attention and get them interested, students get involved and learn by performing the skits themselves.
For schools that are interested in this programme, AVA will provide the scripts, music and loan of costumes at no charge. Schools can encourage their students to stage the skits for their own schoolmates. Schools are also welcomed to stage the skit at AVA's annual RPO Roadshow or at other events.
The two main characters in the play, Sherlock Combs and Dr Whatsup? (a quirky pet detective and veterinarian respectively), solve RPO cases. Students follow their adventures and in the process learn some RPO dos and don'ts. The funny spoofs throughout the skits will make them interesting to both performers and audiences alike. Students can also inject their own creative interpretation of the scripts.
The two different scripts available are:
1. The Adventures of Sherlock Combs and Dr Whatsup? - The Case of the Fighting Hamsters
2. The Adventures of Sherlock Combs and Dr Whatsup? - The Case of the Seletar Attack
Combs
Yo, everybody! Hey, listen up!
Before you get a pet
You’ve got to think it carefully through
You’ve got to know what you are getting into
Watsup?
Do you have enough resources
To feed and house your pet?
Do you know its habits and needs
And other stuff like how long it will live?
Any of the other characters
There is no doubt that pets
Will bring you much joy
But remember they are living things
And they’re not toys
So owning a pet is a lot of hardwork
For you and your family
Please do not get a pet
Unless you’re truly ready
CHORUS
All
Be a pet detective
Be a pet detective
Do your research before you buy
Because a pet is for life
Cos a pet is for life
Cos a pet is for life
Because a pet is for life
(To speak) A pet is for life!
Interested in embarking on this programme? Require more information?
Please contact Ms Sherry Nee, at tel: 6325 7420 or email:sherry_nee@ava.gov.sg.
AVA would like to invite your school to partner us in the Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO) Ambassador Programme for Schools. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness in animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership amongst students. We believe that our programme will help to build a gracious society by instilling values of kindness, respect and compassion in our children.
In this programme, a representative from each school (teacher or staff member) will work in partnership with AVA in Responsible Pet Ownership (RPO)/Animal Welfare Education. RPO Ambassadors will be informed of new AVA RPO events and activities (eg. talks, exhibitions, contests etc) and AVA will also provide support and advise the RPO Ambassador in any animal welfare/RPO related school projects or initiatives.
In addition, we will send the latest RPO resources and publications to the RPO Ambassadors. RPO Ambassasdors will also be given priority to RPO items such as the RPO Pocket Calender.
The school can appoint their RPO Ambassador by filling up the RPO Ambassador Nomination Form and faxing to Ms Sherry Nee at Fax: 6233 5383. She can also be contacted at Tel: 6325 7420/email: sherry_nee@ava.gov.sg for more information.
RPO Ambassador Newsletter
RPO Ambassadors receive the quarterly RPO Ambassador Newsletter updating them of RPO news and activities. The newsletter is free for download in .pdf format here:
Having a Pet Corner may sound like a terrific idea to teach students how to care for pets but have you considered the amount of commitment needed for such a project and whether the commitment involved makes running the project worthwhile? Below are some questions and answers to help you decide.
Some questions to ask before deciding to run a Pet Corner:
- Is there anyone to take care of the pets during school holidays, public holidays, exam periods and weekends?
Pets need constant care. Food and water have to be given regularly and the pets have to be protected from the elements of the weather. Pets also need regular interaction to be sociable. The best solution might be to have the teacher in charge bring the pets home during these periods.
- Will the students benefit from being involved in the care of the animals?
If the students only have limited access and learning opportunities, including that of learning about the care of the pets, there will be limited benefits to having the pets in school.
- Will there be a teacher dedicated to the long term care of the pet?
Like any household pet, school pets also need a responsible owner. A dedicated teacher (preferably two, in case one is unavailable during certain periods) is more able to ensure the welfare of the pets, through knowledge and responsibility for the pet. This teacher will be a good role model for the students.
- Are there people who know how to care for the type of pet(s) that the school plans to keep?
Students will usually have limited responsibility. All activities involving the pets should be supervised and a teacher in charge can provide the necessary guidance. Without knowing enough about the animals, the pets could be inadvertently harmed or their needs may not be met.
- What lesson do the pets teach the students? Can the pets be replaced with altenatives?
If there is no clear purpose for having the animals (e.g. lesson plans involving them), their presence will not benefit the students or the animals themselves. Often there are alternatives to using animals in school to teach lessons on animals.
- How long is the pet to be kept?
Some are rather long lived and will need homes for up to 8 years (rabbits) or even 20 years (terrapins). If there is no intention to keep the pet, it will probably pass on the message to children that pets are temporary acquisitions.
- Are funds available for the upkeep of the pet(s) eg balanced food product, vet fees in the event the pet falls ill?
Pets need money to upkeep and without sufficient funds, the animals in the pet corner may become neglected. Veterinary care is especially important for pets kept outdoors. Untreated sick pets may die. Students might become indifferent or distraught to the animals' suffering if no care is provided when they are sick. Pets should also be ideally checked by a veterinarian before they are brought in to schools.
- Can a suitable habitat be provided for the pets?
Some pets will need a lot of space, especially rabbits. The animals will need living quarters that can be easily kept clean, comfortable and sheltered.
- Will the interest in the animals be sustained?
Often, pets are novel and interesting at first but this wanes with time. The pets may then become neglected or no longer fulfill their purpose.
- Use posters, models, charts and diagrams of animals and plants. These are useful tools and serve as good alternative visual stimuli.
- Show videos of animals and their behaviour.
- Have a pet belonging to a teacher visit or have this teacher present about his/her pets using powerpoint slides.
- Have activities with use of stuffed animals or other props to represent the animals.
- Arrange trips to AVA's Centre for Animal Welfare and Control (CAWC) or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to participate in their educational programs
- Arrange for assembly talks on pets by AVA and/or animal welfare societies.
- Arrange for talks by other environmental organizations (e.g. Nparks, Zoo, etc) to talk about wildlife and conservation.
- Read and discuss animal related books
- Have projects where students find out information about pets and make a poster or presentation.
There are many other activities that teachers and students can be involved in. If you have had a successful pet/animal activity, why not share it with us? Or, do you need more ideas? Feel free to contact Ms Sherry Nee at tel: 6325 7420 or email: sherry_nee@ava.gov.sg.
