If your child has a soft spot for all creatures great and small, then have we got some great news for them! The Animal Welfare League of Queenland (AWLQ) is opening up its Gold Coast rehoming centre in Coombabah these school holidays.
Young children will learn how to be responsible for animals and older ones can attend a course to learn more about working in the animal industry. Due to the popularity of the one-day programs in the past, it’s probably wise to book early so you can avoid disappointment!
Animal antics – for kids aged 6 to 10
This one-day school holiday program is open to all children aged 6 to 10 years. It offers your kids a range of animal-related activities that are designed to be fun and hands-on while. In addition, it also teaches kids how to responsibly care and respect for animals.
What exactly will our children do?
In a fully supervised environment, your kids work through a range of structured, hands-on activities related to the care of companion animals. This happens in a combination of small and whole group activities and at some stage children get supervised contact time some of the AWLQ’s animals.
All children will receive a take-home pack at the end of the day that includes a sticker, colouring sheets and magazines. In addition, the number of kids in the program is capped at a maximum of 30 because it allows for small group activities to be held.
Another bonus is that your child will get the chance to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the AWLQ Rehoming Centre.
The essentials
- Held on September 19
- Program runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Located at Shelter Road in Coombabah
- Cost $50 per child and $45 for extra siblings
- Maximum of 30 spots available
- Your kids must bring own lunch and snacks
- Hats, water, long pants and covered-in shoes
- Ensure kids wear clothes that can get dirty
- Remove jewellery or accessories so they don’t get lost
You can register or find out more by visiting here.
Animal Care Course – for kids aged 11 to 16
If you’ve got a tween or teen who wants to learn more about working in the animal industry, they’ll probably love this one-day course because they’ll be given real-life industry experience. Most of all, they’ll get to learn animal care skills in a fun and rewarding environment.
What will they learn?
Your animal lovers will be given knowledge and practical skills in the areas of dog obedience training, hydrobathing and basic grooming. They’ll also be taught in the areas of companion animal care including basic vet care.
In addition, they’ll come to understand the needs of dogs and cats in a refuge facility and how AWLQ animal attendants care for these particular needs on a daily basis. Most of all, they’ll also be shown how the rehoming centre functions.
As with the other course, your children will get a behind-the-scenes tour of refuge facilities and animal hospital. Furthermore, children will become familiar with how the AWLQ assists animals in need within our community.
What is the course content and structure?
Your children will work through a range of hands-on components taught by AWLQ Education Officers who are passionate about animal welfare.
Finally, those who demonstrate the outcomes of the course receive a certificate of achievement at the end, this is something your child is bound to love.
Practical components include:
- Basic Dog Obedience Training Skills
- Dog Hydrobathing
- Cat Behaviour and Handling
- Small Animal Care
- Vet Care for Shelter Animals
- All students get a complete Course Content Book, with theory to support the practical work for further reading.
The essentials
- Held on September 21
- Program runs from 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Located at Shelter Road in Coombabah
- Costs $70 this includes all resources, booklets, certificate
- Maximum of 16 spots available
- Also, lunch is not included and students must bring their own food and water
- Students must wear long pants and closed in shoes.
You can register or find out more by visiting here.
Where exactly is the Animal Welfare League?
The AWL is located on Shelter Road which is off the Gold Coast Highway and on the opposite site of the road of AB Paterson College.
Don’t worry if you think you’ve taken the wrong path because the shelter is a little way down the road on your right.
Finally, you can get more details from the education programs co-ordinator on 5509 9034 or email education@awlqld.com.au
