Humane Education

Cruelty, abuse and neglect are all too common in our society -- which is why humane education programs are so vital.

If you are a humane educator who needs funding to launch a new program or expand a current, successful one, American Humane may be able to help. We offer humane education mini-grants from $350 to $1,000, which are intended for programs that teach kindness, compassion, character and pet-ownership responsibility.

Mini-Grant Recipients:

People. Animals. Love.

Washington, D.C.
December 2007 - $1,865 (prior to $1,000 cap)
To continue and expand the People. Animals. Love. (PAL) after-school program that uses the human-animal bond to teach responsibility and respect in an underprivileged area of Washington, D.C. The second- to fifth-grade participants learn about animals by working with a small collection of pets that live at the facility and receive the children’s care. In addition, students read and report on books about animals -- a component of the program that promotes literacy.

Second Chance Animal Center

Shaftsbury, Vt.
June 2008 - $1,000
To continue and expand the five-week Purrs, Barks, Feathers & Fun program that teaches 7- to 12-year-olds and which offers partial and full scholarships based on family need. The program offers education on pet responsibility, knowledge and appreciation of the environment, development of kindness and compassion, and strengthening of the human-animal bond.

PAWS of Northeast Louisiana, Inc.

Monroe, La.
August 2008 - $1,000
To continue and expand the PAWS 4 Learning humane education program that brings certified therapy dogs to third-grade classrooms. This nine-month program teaches children the importance of pet responsibility and being safe around dogs.

The Empathy Project

Surfside, Fla.
August 2008 -  $1,000
To continue and expand The Healing Species After School Bilingual Enrichment Project that teaches Miami-Dade County Public School students to achieve success through acts of compassion and responsibility rather than returning “violence for violence.” Students under the age of 18 participate in 11-week sessions as well as student-led community service projects.

Lollypop Farm

Fairport, N.Y.
August 2008 - $1,000
To offer the Paws for Literacy READ Project as an after-school program, using volunteers and their trained therapy dogs. Second- and third-grade, inner-city students will learn and practice reading about dogs to real canine “reading partners” for six weekly sessions.

The Humane Society of Genesee County

Burton, Mich.
November 2008 - $1,000
To continue and expand the humane education offerings in 21 school districts, as well as the multi-day Kids Kamp program, and to include children at a residential treatment center in the Kids Kamp program.

The Humane Society of Charles County

Waldorf, Md.
February 2009 - $1,000
To continue and expand the Junior KIND Club Program for children ages 3 to 5. Participants will be introduced to concepts of respect and compassion, learn about humane and environmental subjects, and will work on community service projects.

The grant program is currently on hold, pending additional funding. A downloadable application will be posted when funds are available.

If you have questions about the mini-grants, please contact Jane Greco Deming, director of American Humane's Humane Education Department, at humaneed@americanhumane.org.