LibGuides: Students Taking Action Today: Animal Welfare

Formative Texts

Build students' background knowledge with formative texts. Get started with the resources below and provide students with note-taking materials to guide their research.

Story from Gale in Context: Elementary

Do a read-aloud of 'My Name is Angel' to launch a discussion of the role shelters play in caring for lost and homeless animals and the needs of pets.

Webinar from Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)

Learn about animal adoption (minutes 7:00-20:00 recommended) and an overview of ACC's shelters and the various jobs in a shelter.

Articles from Newsela

Share this article on homeless animals and prompt students to share what they learned and what new questions it raises.
Additional articles about animal welfare from Newsela, free with login.

Blog entry (Rover) and Flyer (ASPCA): The Intersection of Animal and Human Welfare

Read a blog entry on organizations supporting homeless pet owners and review the Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare to start an exploration of the intersections between animal and human welfare.

ACC Presentation Opportunity

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) offers presentations to schools, and their team is happy to speak with groups of all ages about who they are and what they do, animal body language, and ways the community can join their mission to end animal homelessness in NYC. To schedule a presentation for your Kids Action Team, contact Katherine Reeves at communityoutreach@nycacc.org.

e-books for Service-Learning

Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts; David M. Walker (Illustrator) A little boy imagines what life was like for his new dog before he adopted him from a shelter. Maybe he had a boy who loved him, but the family had to move and couldn't keep him. Maybe he belonged to someone who didn't appreciate how mischievous puppies can be. Maybe he was treated badly, and now he can be shown all the love he's been missing. This boy wonders about all of these things, but maybe they don't matter. Because now, his dog is home.
ISBN: 039924526X
Publication Date: 2007-09-20
Goyangi Means Cat by Christine McDonnell; Steve Johnson (Illustrator); Lou Fancher (Illustrator) When Soo Min comes from Korea to live with her new American family, she struggles to learn English and adjust to unfamiliar surroundings. She finds great comfort in the family's cat, Goyangi- that is, until he runs away. After searching the streets with her mother, Soo Min discovers her beloved pet has returned to the house, and speaks her first English word - 'Goyangi home.' This gentle story reveals that home is truly where the heart is.
ISBN: 0670011797
Publication Date: 2011-05-12
Not Norman by Kelly Bennett; Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator) "A sweet story that could be used as a springboard to discussion of the pitfalls of making snap judgments about pets -- or people." -- School Library Journal Norman the goldfish isn't what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet -- one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things don't go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought? With wry humor and lighthearted affection, author Kelly Bennett and illustrator Noah Z. Jones tell an unexpected -- and positively fishy -- tale about finding the good in something you didn't know you wanted.
ISBN: 0763627631
Publication Date: 2008-03-11
Lost and Found Cat by Doug Kuntz; Amy Shrodes; Sue Cornelison (Illustrator) Celebrate books, friendship, and chocolate milk shakes with Duncan the Dragon in this sweet, funny story perfect for fans of Dog Loves Books and Dragons Love Tacos. Duncan the Dragon loves to read. When he reads a story, his imagination catches fire! Unfortunately . . . so does his book. Fire breath is great for roasting marshmallows, but it's not so great for reading. Duncan just wants to get to those two wonderful words, like the last sip of a chocolate milk shake- The End. Will he ever find out how the story ends? This bright, warm tale champions determination, friendship, and a love for books. And milk shakes! An Indie Next selection Winner of the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy Bell Picture Book Award "Though there are lots of unusual friendship stories in picture books, the vivid colors, expressive faces, and comic details make this one likely to be a storytime hit. Like the last sip of a chocolate milk shake, it's very satisfying." -Kirkus Reviews
ISBN: 1524715476
Publication Date: 2017-01-31
Tuesday Tucks Me In by Luis Carlos Montalván; Bret Witter; Dan Dion (Photographer) As narrated by Tuesday,Tuesday Tucks Me In is a day in the life of this service dog extraordinaire and tail-wagging ambassador for all things positive and uplifting in the world. The book takes us through a typical day of adventures, starting with Tuesday waking military veteran Luis Carlos Montalván in the morning and greeting him with dog breath in the face, and then ending with Tuesday cuddling up to Luis on their bed, the last moment they spend together before sleep.
ISBN: 1596438916
Publication Date: 2014-05-27

Asynchronous Virtual Field Trips

Each virtual field trip deck includes background information and vocabulary, a brief video (3-10 minutes), and a link to an additional resource. If students will be accessing the trip asynchronously, instruct them to select full screen for the best viewing experience. Then they can use the arrows to advance through the deck and press "play" to watch the video.

Animal Welfare

Front Street Animal Shelter

Additional Resources

Bolster students' research during with additional resources and opportunities to connect with, and learn from, experts and organizations.

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)

Visit ACC's Community Kids page for information and ideas on how to help shelter animals. Check out the Cat Song to learn about cat behavior from a catchy, recognizable tune.

Adopt a Pet.Com

Search for your local animal shelter or rescue organization and visit their website to learn more about their services for animals.

Animal Behavior Posters

Access free posters on cat language and dog signals from artist Lili Chin to help students learn how to be safe and responsive around their pets, and educate others on animal behaviors.

How Can We Care for Animals?

Ever wondered how we can provide care for animals? Click this link to gain some insight.

Found a Stray Cat?

Learn more with this resource and info graphic.

Here's How We Can Entertain Our Furry Pets

Use this resource to entertain our furry friends by creating toys and check out these DIY Toy Instructions.

Pets for Life

Explore how pet ownership is a social justice issue with tools and resources from The Humane Society of the United States' Pets for Life initiative that supports people and pets living in poverty.

Pet Owners and Housing Insecurity

See if your dog makes the list of dog breeds commonly banned by landlords and insurance companies and learn what tenants can do about it.

Adopt a Pet.Com

Search for your local animal shelter or rescue organization and visit their website to learn more about their services for animals in need.

Fear Free Happy Homes

Find vet-reviewed tips and guidance on separation anxiety, teaching tricks, and more to support pet owners in raising happy and healthy pets.