Education & Advocacy

When I'm caring for animals, visiting family homes, engaging with people of all ages, I'm struck with three important truths: we are all learners, we are all teachers, and we all share the common experience of family animals. These truths are exactly why my business is developing roots in education and advocacy. It's who we are (or who we are growing to be with our pets)! 

We learn the unique personality traits of our pet; we teach them to live safely and comfortably in our homes; we teach our children how to care for them, how to do those pet chores, how to be responsible. I remember vividly how my parents embraced oh-so-many animals over the years, how they taught by modeling those care basics. And I remember the constantly flowing love, given and received with those animals. I meditate on the mutual healing aspects of animals in our care. I pray that cats, dogs, rabbits, and many other species, will find the loving homes they deserve.

The shelters are full. The gifted and devoted animal caregivers are often exhausted. Funding is scarse, often divided over many rescues in need. What can we do? We can educate and we can advocate!! A great place to start is with our children!

My goal is to provide programs through Pup kit Pet Care that engage the child's deep and open heart for animals, teaching them to take action - be doers for the betterment of animals that still await homes. Many rescue organizations have restrictions on the age of volunteers. I worked with many of them this summer, alongside my 10 year old apprentice, Ayanna, who wowed everyone with her active enthusiasm. This is where the new Pup Kit Pet Care After School program began to take shape. The organizations we visited were completely on board and ready for us to set days and times for service!!

Our Blog

This tool allows us to track our progress through stories and art. We will include special moments from our volunteer workdays, details of events we host or attend, stories from home - about our own animals, and more. The ideas and written work for this blog will be fueled by the after-school participants. Keep up with us and enjoy the posts!!

Pup Kit Pet Care After School Program

We are pleased to introduce this program for the 2023-24 school year! This offering is brought to you by Pup Kit Pet Care, LLC. It is not an Oakwood School District program.  

Who: Children in grades 4 - 6 ONLY; 8 children will be accepted in each package option. Package days are fixed.

What: After school care with a twist - hands-on volunteer time with animal welfare organizations in the Miami Valley; plus fundraising projects for young people, and advocacy for pet adoption in Miami Valley communities. Volunteer activities may include, socializing and exercising animals, cleaning, organizing and helping shelter workers with other necessary chores. 

When: Monday through Thursday, 3:30pm to 6:00pm, including transportation from school to work sites and back to Oakwood.

Where: We will work primarily with the following organizations - SICSA, Humane Society of Greater Dayton, Batta Cats (Xenia), Our Farm Sanctuary (Tipp City) and Adopt a Pit in Dayton. All activities will be fully supervised with two adults, plus shelter staff.

Package Option #1 - 2 days: Tuesday & Thursday 

Package Option #2 - 2 days: Monday & Wednesday

Cost: $75 per child, per week. Weekly fees will be due on Fridays by noon before the week of care! Payments can be made via Venmo, PayPal, check or cash.