Outreach and Education

If children learn not to be afraid of dogs, they are less likely to be bitten. If they learn that animals feel pain, they are less likely to abuse them. And, if they learn that animals need food and shelter just as people do, they are less likely to act irresponsibly toward an animal. For many children, these are new concepts. Our education program is provided at several pre-schools and youth centers in Contra Costa, Alameda Counties and Marin County. We expose animals to kids and demystify some of the myths and share career opportunities working with animals.

Our dog trainer (who trains police and bomb-sniffing dogs) is a central part of the educational process. Youth are often surprised when a police officer shows what his/her dog can do and to learn that dogs help find people during disasters. This newfound appreciation for animals teaches them how to approach dogs and helps them be safer in their homes and in their neighborhoods.

Currently, our education programs reach approximately 400 kids throughout Bay Area schools. Our hope is they will take the lessons learned and spread compassion for all animals to their parents, and into their community. For more information on how to bring our program into your children's school, call us at (415) 506-0161 in Marin or (510) 267-1915 in the East Bay.

We currently have no permanent funding in our budget for this program, and would like to raise $2,000 to buy supplies and to ensure that each child takes something tangible away with him/her to remember what they have learned. If you would like to help fund this effort, please contact Paula Vlamings, Development Director at (415) 297-9803 or by email at scrpaula@aol.com.

Thanks to a generous donor, Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue launched its first digital multimedia signage program at Hilltop Mall in Spring 2006. To our knowledge, this is the only program of its kind in support of animal welfare. Using state of the art digital video equipment remotely updated from our office so that information can be kept timely and relevant, we can let the public know about the wonderful animals available for adoption in their backyard- the Pinole and Martinez Animal Shelters - and through our organization. This information is broadcast during mall hours, thus reaching thousands of people on a weekly basis. It also increases public awareness about our organization, the great animals available through us, and ways to get involved with Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue. In December of 2006, we launched a similar program at Your Basic Bird in Berkeley and also a screen at Sunvalley Mall in Concord.

By increasing awareness about the problems of pet over-population, spay/neuter and other relevant programs and sharing the stories of many animals available for adoption in our community, we hope that many more of our furry friends will find loving, permanent homes.