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.

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Programs for Children & Teens


Camps
Spring, summer, and winter breaks are exciting times at Animal Friends, offering fun and educational camp experiences for young animal enthusiasts. We provide daytime camps throughout the year for kids of all ages— from preschoolers with a caregiver to teens exploring animal welfare in depth.
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 the second weekend of each month. Register your child for one (or both) of our fun and educational programs each month.
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
We invite your school-age child to read to a trained Therapet participating in Animal Friends’ Pet-Assisted Literacy Services (PALS) Program.
Reading to a companion animal can be a great way to enhance a child’s literacy skills and foster a love of reading! Did you know that reading to a companion animal can build confidence, improve fluency, and create a purpose to read?
Registration includes:
- 15 minute time slot to read with a trained Therapet.
- Exploration time in our Humane Education Engagement Center
- Viewing cats, dogs, and rabbits on the Adoption Floor
- Take home a free activity bag
Tuition: Free!
Kitty Socialization
Guided by an experienced cat handler, you will learn how to work with cats or kittens in ways that promote their well-being and allow young people to put kindness and empathy into action.
One required adult and up to two children ages 4+ are allowed to participate.
Registration includes:
- A time slot to play with a cat or kitten who is learning all about humans!
- Exploring the Humane Education & Engagement Center
- Viewing rabbits, dogs, and cats on the Adoption Floor
- Take home a free activity bag
Tuition: Free!
Private Events

Friends Together
Recommended for children ages 5-10.
Friends Together is a fun event where you can bring your child and their friends for an interactive and fun experience where they learn about the important responsibilities of caring for a companion animal. At the end of the event, each child will be able to “adopt” a stuffed animal to take home with them. Groups can choose between a learning experience geared towards cats, dogs, or rabbits.
Each child will receive a stuffed animal based on the learning experience chosen, a crate, brush, collar and leash.
Please Note:
- 1 hour program
- Minimum group size is 6 children with 3 adults. Each group should be accompanied by adult caregivers who offer support and guidance during all activities.
Tuition: $25 per child
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.
Littlest Animal Friends
Recommended for youths ages 3-5 with a caregiver. Play groups welcome!
Nurture your child’s love of four-legged friends while engaging in animal-themed activities from story time to singing to artmaking. This special four-day experience will feature different activities daily, with visits from real-life furry friends along the way. Little ones will experience how to safely meet and interact with dog, cat, and rabbit friends in a joyful and playful environment.
Please Note:
- 45 minutes for four days Tuesday-Friday
- 6 children minimum per program with caregivers
Tuition: $40 per child for the four day program
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.

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.
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
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.
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
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.
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
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.
Programs for Schools & Organizations
In School Programs
"We Met A Therapet"
"We Met a Therapet" 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 Therapet teams. 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
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.


"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.
To schedule, please fill out this request form.
Questions? Email HumaneEd@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or call 412.847.7092.
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 412.847.7092.
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.
