Yes. This is the first time that a program at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village (Village) in Long Beach promotes humane treatment and the socialization of animals through reading out loud to the animals. While this is the kick-off event, the program will be ongoing during days that the Village is open to the public.There is a program in Long Beach, called Beach Animals Reading with Kids (BARK) that brings dogs into schools to read with children who struggle with literacy. More information about BARK available online: http://bark.web.officelive.com/default.aspx
Additionally, there is a program for volunteers to read out loud to animals in the Riverside County shelters. This is designed to promote a humane shelter environment as well as to create an interaction between people and animals.
(2) Your note says the official sponsors are Long Beach Animal Care Services, Friends of Long Beach Animals, and P.A.W.S --- do the initials P.A.W.S. translate to “Pets are Wonderful Support“ --- want to have correct references.
Correct. Improving the shelter environment at the Village is a partnership between community members from the Pets Always Worth Saving (PAWS) Long Beach Committee, the Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA), and of course Animal Care Services. PAWS was created in the summer 2008 to promote adoptions and community engagement in the future of the Village. This committee is composed of community leaders, animal advocates, retailers and non-profit volunteers and meets with the Bureau Manager and staff from Animal Care Services on a monthly basis.
Is the following website one that can be used to tell people how to get additional information, or is there another website that could be listed:
http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/Friends_of_Long_Beach_Animals_rId468_rS_pC.html
Please also include the website for Animal Care Services: www.longbeach.gov/acs
(3) You said the shelter is closed on Tuesday, April 14, on that date, I assume the program and the shelter are not open to the public.
Correct. However, if someone would like to attend the kick-off event, they should contact animalcare@longbeach.gov to RSVP so that we can be sure to include them in our refreshments counts and provide them access to the building!
(4) Will the Pet Literacy project be conducted at announced intervals or once a month during the school year, or throughout the year.
The program will be ongoing throughout the year during the days that the Village is open to the public. More specifically, volunteers are encouraged to register for a date and time through animalcare@longbeach.gov but it is not required.
Volunteers are welcome to read any day that the Village is open, Wednesday through Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. The Village is closed Monday, Tuesday and holidays. All readers are encouraged to sign-in at the front desk to receive credit for their volunteers hours and to receive information about the program.
(5) a. What are the ages of the children involved . . . since the students will get credit for community service, I'm guessing these are high school students.
Readers must be (15) years or older or they must be accompanied by an adult. All students from Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) are eligible to receive service hours for the time that they read to the animals so long as they sign-in at the Admissions desk upon each visit.
b. How are they chosen to be readers/volunteers (do the parents or teachers nominate them, or does their school);
Readers are self-selected.
c. How can children volunteer for this project.
Working with their parents, guardians or teachers, children can volunteer for this project as a group by contacting animalcare@longbeach.gov, at least (1) week ahead of time to allow for staff to prepare for their visit. Otherwise, all readers are welcome to visit the Village on the day of their availability; to check-in with the front desk; and to read to the animals. Chairs donated by the Friends of Long Beach Animals are available in each of the cottages.
d. Can adults volunteer for this project.
Absolutely. Anyone who is interested in practicing their reading or giving something back to the animals at the Village is welcome. The project helps to provide calm in the kennels as well as to socialize animals who need regular contact with people. Lastly, this program hopes to create a connection between people and animals (hopefully increasing opportunities for adoption)!
(6) Can children and adults volunteer for other LBACS and/or Friends of Long Beach Animal activities.
Certainly. There are a number of ways to become involved in FOLBA activities by visiting their website online at: www http://www.friendsoflongbeachanimals.org/.
There are a number of ways to become involved in Animal Care Services, including the PAWS Committee and becoming a Community Coordinator. Other ways to get involved in your local shelter are available online:
http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/volunteer/default.asp.
