Teaching about pets and how to care for them this term? These free resources from the RSPCA will help children to understand pets as living animals with needs and feelings. They’re perfect for using during National Pet Month in April.

Over 58.4 millions animals are kept as pets in the UK so it’s important to understand what they need to be happy and healthy. Does your class know how to care for their pets?

These resources will teach pupils about the five welfare needs of animals kept as pets, how different pets have specific needs and what our responsibilities are to our pets.

Resources for teaching about pets

This download contains the following:

• Images
• Starter activities
• Main activities
• Plenary activities
• Extension activity
• Curriculum objectives
• Learning outcomes
• Vocabulary
• Worksheets
• Factsheets
• Teachers’ notes

1: A nation of animal lovers

Introduce the concept of cruelty to animals, with a focus on pets, and whether it is deliberate or based on neglect.

2: Exotic animals as pets

Looks at the complex needs of exotic (non-domestic) pets and the responsibility involved in looking after them.

3: How do we look after pets?

Focus on which animals make good pets and how to care for them.

4: Looking after pets takes time

Look at the daily responsibility of pet care, the amount of time and the activities required to look after a pet properly.

5: We all have basic needs

Use this lesson to introduce pupils to the concept of human and animal (pet) needs.

Find more great resources from the RSPCA at education.rspca.org.uk and follow @RSPCA_official on Twitter.

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