I believe that children and animals are meant for each other!  Caring for animals teaches kindness, compassion, and responsibility, and the animal serves as a special friend and playmate for the child.

Pet care is one of the first tasks assigned to an elementary-age child, as children of that age begin to receive more responsibilities at home.  The resources provided in this post provide practical guidance for pet care, help children make important decisions about their pets, help children cope with the loss of their pet, and assist parents and teachers with educating children about pet ownership.

Our RCPL collection offers a variety of books for kids about caring for animals, from cats to hermit crabs!  I’ve listed several highlights below.

Does your child enjoy using the internet? Provided by nationally recognized animal welfare organizations (the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society, and the ASPCA,) these bright and interactive Web sites are designed just for kids to learn how to care for animals.

For parents and educators:  The Humane Society’s website offers many excellent videos and educational materials which are targeted to kids.  Locally, Columbia’s own Project Pet seeks to improve residents’ awareness of what animals need to have a good quality of life.