Each child who learns about the humane treatment of animals is a walking ambassador for kindness to all living beings.

North Country Animal League’s Humane Education Program is designed to teach children about compassion and kindness to all living beings.

This is accomplished through:

The READ Program: An NCAL volunteer and our therapy dogs go into numerous area schools where children sign up to read to the dogs for 15 minutes. The dogs are wonderful listeners and are very non-judgmental, helping those with reading problems be less inhibited when reading aloud.
Children learn how to be gentle with the animals and ask many questions about their care.

Bite Prevention and Basic Care Presentations: NCAL’s Educational Director  gives presentations to school and community groups, like the Girl and Boy Scouts, 4-H, birthday parties and classrooms on these topics.

Tours: Many groups come to the shelter to learn about animal care and to see how NCAL cares for and finds homes for our orphaned animals.

Open Houses:  Families are invited to an open house at the shelter one Saturday each month to take a tour, visit the animals and enjoy the environment while tasting some cookies and punch. There are always balloons for the kids and usually a surprise treat.

Elder Care Facilities:  NCAL volunteers also take therapy animals to elder care facilities to spread the joy of holding and loving animals to those who may no longer be able to have one of their own.

NCAL is also a resource for the Laraway School and Lamoille County Mental Health Services.