What is humane education?
Humane education is the teaching of compassion and respect for all living beings, focusing on the humane treatment of animals, people, and the environment.
Why do we teach it?
Humane Education promotes kindness, develops empathy, and cultivates compassion for others.
Animal Friends is committed to providing the knowledge and resources needed to empower the next generation of animal advocates, helping them make informed, responsible choices to improve the lives of animals in our community.
I am looking for a program for my:
Programs for Children & Teens
Camps & Workshops
Spring, summer, and winter breaks are packed with paws, whiskers, and fun at Animal Friends!
Our camps and workshops turn school breaks into exciting adventures, full of hands-on learning, creative activities, and animal-inspired experiences. We offer programs all year long for kids of every age—from little explorers with a caregiver to teens ready to dive deeper into animal welfare. Get ready for stories, games, and unforgettable animal-themed adventures!
Programs for Families
Humane Education and Engagement Center
All are welcome to come in and explore Animal Friends’ Humane Education & Engagement Center, which is designed to spark our young guests’ interest in the fascinating lives of dogs, cats and rabbits, as well as the multi-species world of which they are a part!
Youth and accompanying caregivers are invited to explore this interactive space and engage in a variety of animal-themed learning activities together at their own pace. As the themes and activities change, visitors will encounter new activities to explore. From dramatic play, art activities, or animal training simulations, there is something to investigate for all ages. Possibilities are endless! There are always new things to discover here!
Tuesday-Friday | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
We Time Weekends
Families and young people, come join Animal Friends for some weekend “We Time” surrounded by furry friends. We Time Weekends are the perfect opportunity for families who are curious about animals – from how to interact safely and respectfully with them, to how to welcome a new furry family member home. More than anything, We Time Weekends are designed for families to spend an enjoyable afternoon together while exploring everything Animal Friends has to offer.
We Time Weekends are offered once each month. Register your child for one (or both) of our fun and educational programs each month. Please note that these programs run from September through April.
BONUS! Stick around for a public Bun Run from 2:30-4:00 most Saturdays to interact with shelter rabbits! Experienced rabbit volunteers will be on site to guide families through proper ways to approach, play with, and care for rabbit friends.
Pet Assisted Literary Program
Help your school-age child build reading confidence while sharing a story with a trained Therapets Team through Animal Friends’ Pet-Assisted Literacy Services (PALS) Program! During this special reading experience, children can practice their reading skills in a fun, supportive environment while connecting with a therapy animal and their handler.
Reading sessions are offered in 15-minute time slots at Animal Friends on designated dates from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration includes:
• A 15-minute reading session with a trained Therapets Team
• Exploring the Humane Education & Engagement Center
• Viewing rabbits, dogs, and cats on the Adoption Floor
• A free activity bag to continue the fun at home
Family Participation: One required adult will attend with each participating child and join them during their reading session. Families bringing additional children should plan for an additional adult to support non-participating children so everyone can enjoy their experience here at Animal Friends.
Tuition: Free (Donations are welcome)
Upcoming Dates: Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Nov. 8, Dec. 6
Please note that these programs run from September through April.
Paws, Play & Discover
In this hands-on, tail-wagging session, registered families will discover fun ways to help companion animals stay happy, healthy, and mentally active! Participants will explore animal body language, pet safety, and what it means to be a great friend to animals. Designed for young animal lovers and their caregivers, these monthly sessions combine learning, exploration, and hands-on activities for a fun family experience.
Registration includes:
- 45 minutes of hands-on guided activities
- Exploring the Humane Education & Engagement Center
- Viewing rabbits, dogs, and cats on the Adoption Floor
- A free activity bag to continue the fun at home
Family Participation: One required adult and up to two children
Tuition: Free (Donations are welcome)
Upcoming Dates: Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov.7, Dec. 5
Please note that these programs run from September through April.
Programs for Scout Troops
Bring your troop to explore the amazing world of our animal companions!
Each child will receive an Animal Friends fun patch. Troop leaders may issue troop specific badges as well, per troop guidelines.
Choose from one of three new programs.
*Scouting programs only available September - April*
Animal Watching is Fun! Patch
Scouts will learn how to safely approach a dog and develop empathy skills though observing animals here at Animal Friends! Appropriate for troops in K-1st grade. This fun patch aligns with the Girl Scout Daisy “Animal Observation” Badge requirements.
- Learn how to greet a dog safely
- Use observation skills to determine how an animal might be feeling
- Observe the animals on the Adoption Floor
- Focus on one animal to draw
- Create a troop Quilt Craft with the drawings
Please Note:
- Each group should be accompanied by adult caregivers who offer support and guidance during all activities.
- Advance registration is required to attend.
Note: troop leaders should plan to register the scouts participating
Tuition: $100 per troop, up to 10 scouts, $10 per each additional scout
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
Pets Are Fun! Patch
Scouts will learn how to care for pets to make them happy and healthy! Appropriate for troops in 2nd and 3rd grade. This fun patch aligns with the Girl Scout Brownie “Pets” Badge requirements.
- Play-“Things We All Need: Bingo Game”
- Create a space to keep pet warm and comfortable
- Learn about healthy feeding
- Find out about grooming tools and how to use them
- Discover ways to make a pet feel loved
Please Note:
- Each group should be accompanied by adult caregivers who offer support and guidance during all activities.
- Advance registration is required to attend.
Note: troop leaders should plan to register the scouts participating
Tuition: $100 per troop, up to 10 scouts, $10 per each additional scout
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
Helping Animals is Fun! Patch
Scouts will explore how animals have helped people through the ages and discover new ways they can help animals today. Appropriate for troops in 6th-8th grades. This fun patch aligns with the Girl Scout Cadette “Animal Helpers” Badge requirements.
- Delve into the human/animal connection through folklore
- Develop a creative sketch that shows the connection between humans and animals
- Explore how animals keep us safe
- Investigate how animals support people with disabilities
- Examine the differences between service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapeutic support animals
- Learn how they can help companion animals
Please Note:
- Each group should be accompanied by adult caregivers who offer support and guidance during all activities.
- Advance registration is required to attend.
Note: troop leaders should plan to register the scouts participating
Tuition: $100 per troop, up to 10 scouts, $10 per each additional scout
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
Boy Scout Program-Critter Care Adventure
For this adventure, scouts will explore animal care and humane practices. They will learn about Animal Friends and nonprofits organizations, play “Things We All Need” bingo game and compare the needs of 2 types of companion animals to determine if they would be a good pet for their family. Scouts will also explore how to keep a dog safe from ingesting unsafe items and learn about consent and what that looks like with our companion animals.
Please Note:
- Each group should be accompanied by adult caregivers who offer support and guidance during all activities.
- Advance registration is required to attend.
Note: troop leaders should plan to register the scouts participating
Tuition: $100 per troop, up to 10 scouts, $10 per each additional scout
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
Programs for Schools & Organizations
In School Programs
**NEW**
Tails & Whiskers: Reading and Caring Adventures!
Tails & Whiskers: Reading and Caring Adventures is a free, two-day school program that combines engaging children’s literature, hands-on activities, and real-world animal care. Programs are aligned with Pennsylvania Academic Standards and PA STEELS Standards and help students build empathy, kindness, responsible decision-making, and social-emotional skills.
Day 1: Teachers lead a standards-aligned lesson using the provided curriculum and classroom book.
Day 2: An Animal Friends educator or volunteer visits the classroom to extend learning through interactive activities and animal-focused experiences.
Each classroom receives:
- A complete day one teacher lesson plan and materials
- A humane education book for each classroom to keep
- Hands-on activities and family take-home resources
- A classroom visit from Animal Friends
Kindergarten–Grade 1
Purr-fectly Safe: Pets and Kids Together
Featuring the book KoKoCat, Inside and Out by Lynda Graham-Barber
Grades 2–3
Cottontail Care: Every Bunny Needs a Friend
Featuring the book The Forgotten Rabbit by Nancy Furstinger
Grades 4–5
I Deaf-initely Can: Celebrating Resilience, Abilities, and Differences
Featuring the book I Deaf-initely Can: Rhett the Heeler by Karlie Waldrip
Programs are offered free of charge during the 2026/27 school year. Donations are happily accepted.
Register your classroom HERE or by clicking on the 'register here' button below.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
NOTE: While animal interactions are not included in this program, schools may choose to schedule a separate Therapets Team visit as an additional opportunity for students to connect their learning with an animal experience. Please visit the Therapets webpage to learn more and register.
"We Met A Therapets Team"
"We Met a Therapets Team" is a program designed to teach early childhood learners how to thoughtfully and safely approach a dog, with a strong focus on consent and recognizing a dog's body language. The program is facilitated by one of our trained and certified Therapets team. Learn more about our Therapets program here. Each program session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
This program is designed to be presented off-site, in a preschool or kindergarten classroom, for up to 15 children and their teachers.
Tuition: $50 per classroom
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
"All About Animal Friends"
"All About Animal Friends" is an interactive presentation sharing how Animal Friends works with and for people and pets in the community. Designed for K-6 audiences, this presentation fits in with "community helper" explorations. The program is facilitated by one of our trained Humane Education volunteers. Each program session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes and is appropriate for a wide range of group sizes including classroom presentations and large-group assemblies.
This program is designed to be presented off-site at a school or organization site.
Tuition: The program is a free "Thank You!" presented at your site to help kick-off a supply or fund drive.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
For More Information:
Our Humane Education programs provide learning opportunities that encourage compassion, empathy, and respect for all living beings. Through these experiences, participants develop a deeper understanding of the animal-human bond and the role they play in creating a more humane world.
To get started, please complete our PetNet form so we can learn more about your needs and connect you with the appropriate programs and resources.
Ways You Can Help Animal Friends
Humane Helper
Are you looking to become a Humane Helper? Humane Helpers support Animal Friends through important off-site projects and donation drives.
Whether you are a classroom, a scout troop, an after-school club or any young individual celebrating a birthday with donations in lieu of gifts, your effort as Humane Helpers will go a long way. Teens interested in fundraising, supply drives or volunteering can make a big difference in the lives of animals and their caregivers, too!
Off-Site Service Projects and Donations:
1. Host a school or community supply drive!
- If you're collecting supplies, use your creativity to design a flyer for your drive. Check out our Wish List to see what we need most. Please note, we cannot accept homemade treats.
- If you're raising money, gather funds from family and friends and drop off a check. For every $100 raised, your group can name a shelter resident!
2. Make enrichment gifts (like sniffing mats!) for our animals!
- Visit our enrichment page to learn how to create enrichment gifts for our animals.
3. Spread the word about Animal Friends in your community!
- Pick up a bundle of Petsburgh Magazine (published three times a year) from our lobby during regular business hours, then ask local businesses like veterinarians, groomers, or libraries for permission to leave copies for their customers to enjoy.
Need Help? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsidetheCage.org for support with your Humane Helper project. For inspiration, check out our adoptable animals!
Celebrate! Drop off your donation at Animal Friends, and we’ll thank you in person. You’re also welcome to enjoy a self-guided Empathy Walk around the shelter. Interactions with shelter residents are not included in donation drop-off tours.
Donation Drop-Offs
Individuals
Individuals or leaders of a youth group may drop off funds, supply-drive items, or the suggested handmade enrichment items during Animal Friends’ regular operating hours:
- Tues-Fri: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sat-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
No appointment is necessary! When you visit, be sure to check in with a Welcome Center Associate who will provide you with a Humane Helpers “Thank You” certificate and self-guided tour materials, should you wish to explore the Adoption Floor.
Small Groups - Empathy Walk
Small groups (of up to 12 youth and up to 4 required accompanying adults) are welcome to schedule an Empathy Walk during their donation drop off. Each walk includes a certificate of thanks and all you need to take your group on a special self-guided, activity-filled tour around the Adoption Floor. Empathy Walks are recommended for those in grades K-6.
Submit your visit request 2-4 weeks in advance via the this form. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your visit is confirmed.
Visit Tips:
- Visits are 30-60 minutes, depending on group size.
- Groups can explore the Humane Education & Engagement Center after the tour.
- Bring a signed photo consent form for participants under 18.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7094.
Volunteering
Interested in earning community service hours for school or college, or being part of an animal welfare organization? Teens between the ages of 13-18 are welcome to become volunteers at Animal Friends! Our Pairs program was created for volunteers aged 13-18, and offers many volunteer opportunities for young volunteers and their adult leader.
Want to learn more? Parents and teens can click here for information about becoming a volunteer at Animal Friends.
