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Child & Youth Education

Our mission is to stop cruelty before it begins through education. We get 'em while they're young, providing children 16 years old and under opportunities to develop compassion and respect towards animals while learning leadership skills and accumulating volunteer hours. All of our education programs incorporate safe hands-on experience with animals when appropriate.

Kids love the interactive nature of our programs, whether they are working hands-on with animals or engaged in animal-themed games or crafts.

Parents love our commitment to supervision and safety, and our dedication to building leadership skills and a desire to volunteer in their children. For families that don’t have pets of their own, our programs help keep animal-craving children satisfied.

Junior Humane Program

  • Ages 7 to 9 and 10 to 12
  • Three sessions per year
  • 245 Dartnall Road

Through fun lectures, hands-on time with animals, crafts, journals, games and contests, participants get an excellent introduction to pet care and knowledge. Guest speakers bring their own unique expertise…and often their animals. The curriculum is customized for the two age groups and builds a solid base of knowledge for aspiring animal lovers, veterinarians and animal care attendants.

Download our registration form for information on schedule and costs.

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Download our registration form:

Apprentice Training Program

  • Ages 13 to 15
  • 12 weeks
  • 245 Dartnall Road

Youth can earn 40 volunteer hours in this program.

In our Apprentice Training program, students learn basic animal care and welfare through constant hands on practice with our shelter cats and small animals. Interactive learning experiences involving proper handling techniques, socialization, enrichment exercises and cage cleaning give apprentices valuable animal experience for resumes and pet ownership. Apprentices are also involved in other areas of the SPCA such as adoptions and children’s animal education programs. This program allows practice in valuable skills such as time management, working in teams and speaking with the public.

Program details, including costs, can be found in the application form.

Please be advised that dogs and birds are not a part of this program.

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Download our Registration Form 

Leader in Training Program

  • Ages 13 to 15
  • Runs during March Break & Summer Camps

Youth can earn 40 volunteer hours in this program.

Our Leader in Training program is a great fit for youth who want to complete their 40 hours of volunteering in one week, practice their leadership skills and work with both younger children and animals. The program offers excellent job preparation skills and helps students build their resumes. Each LIT receives a weekly evaluation by his or her supervisor and a certificate of completion. LITs are included on all camp trips (summer camp only).

Little or no experience is necessary to apply for an LIT position. We are looking for young people who are enthusiastic, committed, helpful, eager to learn, fun, respectful towards others and ready to make a camp a great experience for the kids.

Details, including required time commitment, mandatory training session and costs, are included in the application form.

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Elite Youth Program

  • Ages 13 to 15
  • Fall/Winter and Winter/Spring sessions

Our Elite Youth Program is an invitation-only program available to children who have participated in the Apprentice Training program and demonstrated excellent skills with both animals and people. Elite youth participants are allowed to work with our dogs, under supervision.

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Contact Us
Hamilton / Burlington SPCA

245 Dartnall Road

Hamilton, Ontario L8W 3V9

Main Switchboard: (905) 574-7722

Fax: (905) 574-9087

 

The Adoption Centre

Contact us by phone

(905) 574-7722 extension 305

 

Hours of operation:
M - F	12pm - 7:30pm
Sat		10am - 5pm
Sun		12pm - 4pm