Guided Tours
Guided tours of our adoption facility are available to groups of all ages. During each tour, guests will get to see shelter animals up close and personal and have special access to areas not open to the public. For our younger visitors we offer a Shelter Safari Tour where children navigate through an interactive scavenger hunt! Tours can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12pm-2pm. Tour are provided at no case but donations are encouraged.
Educational Classes Offered at the MSPCA
In addition to guided tours the MSPCA offers the below educational seminars at our Education Center.
Dog Bite Prevention:
All ages: “Bite Prevention Presentation” Learn all about how to keep yourself safe and interact with dogs in a friendly and calm manner through this interactive slide show presentation.
2nd grade-6th Grade: “Match the Behavior” A fun mix and match game where children learn more about dog behavior through matching pictures with descriptions. A larger discussion about dog safety and misconceptions about behavior follows the activity.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs-Pet Overpopulation:
Preschool- 2nd grade: “Find me a home”- In this exciting game, children learn more about pet overpopulation by trying to find their animal a home. Children learn that not every animal will receive a home and why. A discussion is had about reasons why animals may come to shelters and the work that shelters do. Children also have the opportunity to create a fun flipbook at cat overpopulation
3rd- 6th grade: “Too many pets!”- Children play a game in which they are given money and asked to buy animals that a classmate’s cat has recently given birth to. As the cat continues to have more kittens and the children run out of money it becomes apparent that there are too many animals!
Cats, cats, cats!!! All about cat behavior and fun facts
1st-4th grade- “Flash Cats”- In this fun activity, children learn more about cat behavior by matching pictures with descriptions of cat behavior. Children can also participate in a facts and myths quiz about cats and discuss their answers.
3rd-7th grade- “Where did our cats come from?”- A discussion and interactive presentation on the origin of cat domestication and cat breeds.
When Dogs Were Wolves: Origins of our Pets
2nd-6th grade- In this activity, children will be able to learn the difference between a “companion” animal and a “wild” animal by studying about how domesticated dogs evolved from wild wolves. The book, First Dog is read aloud and a discussion is had about the messages in the book and the children’s idea about wild and domesticated dogs. Children are then given materials to create their own book about the subject.
The Costs and Responsibilities of Pet Ownership
Pre-K- 1st grade: Pet Care Relay”- In this fun and fast activity, children participate in a relay race to pick out needed items for pet care.
K- 3rd grade- “How much is that doggy in the window?”- Mainly focused on cats and dogs, children participate in activities to learn about the responsibilities and costs of owning an animal. A game show is the main feature of this activity where children will answer questions on the subject and win small prizes at the end. A book is read about the subject as well.
4th-7th grade- “Adopt an Animal!”- This mock exercise walks children through our adoption process. Children select an animal through various profiles to “adopt”, fill out the application, complete a check list of costs/time requirements for that animal and fill out a contract.
From Mice to Ferrets- All about the Smallest Animals in the Shelter
K- 3rd: “The Littles!”- This upbeat and entertaining presentation discusses the responsibilities of pet ownership for many different types of pets, including hamsters, mice, birds, ferrets, chinchillas, rabbits- all adoptable animals at the shelter!
“Fostering Empathy” activity:
K-3rd grade: Discusses emotions and feelings of both humans and animals. Learn about the “Golden Rule” and how this can used in children’s daily lives to interact with animals.
For more information on any of the listed educational programs, please contact Nicole Borrelli, MSPCA Adoption Counselor, at 617-522-5055, dial 6 and then enter extension 5260 or email nborrelli@mspca.org.
