Youngsters learn how to care for their pets, as well as the science and nature of companion animals. Pets have included cats, tropical fish, rabbits, birds, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and dogs. This project offers the opportunity for a youngster to have some meaningful responsibility and take pride in caring for something alive.

This project is suitable for young people ages 5 to 19 in anywhere in the State of New York.

PRIMARY RESOURCES:

Basic 4-H Small Pets Materials

Basic Members Guides: Cats, Guinea Pigs, Birds, Rodents,Fish

What Really Bugs 'Em Game - Basic Parasites! SP 25, Leader's Guide

The 4-H Pet "Skills for Life" Series developed by the 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System (4-HCCS) is part of the national 4-H reviewed and recommended resource collection. Price ranges vary according to the quantity. The average price per book is approximately $3.30. The 4-HCCS website is located at www.n4hccs.org.

Pet 1 Pet Pals
Pet 2 Scurrying Ahead
Pet 3 Flocking Together
Pet 4 Helper's Guide

Ohio has a 4-H PetPALS, curriculum co-authored by Dr. Marie Suthers-McCabe at Virginia Tech and Lucinda Miller of Ohio Sate. 4-H PetPALS is an animal-assisted activities curriculum whereby adult volunteers who are trained as Master 4-H PetPALS volunteer leaders, teach youth who train their pets to visit residents of nursing homes and health care facilities. It can also be adapted for other types of AAA visits. It is modeled after the Delta Society's Pet Partners Program. There is a leaders guide (cost for Ohio residents is $25.75) and a members resource manual (cost for Ohio residents is $5.00). The members resource cannot stand alone, as 4-H PetPALS is a leader-directed project; therefore, there is not much information in the member's resource other than activity sheets. http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~buckpubs/4hyd2.htm The curriculum is # 230 and # 230R.

Please send orders or requests to pubs@ag.osu.edu For inquiries call: (614) 292-1607

Centers for Disease Control has information about rabies for kids that can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/kidsrabies/Animals/animals.htm