- Live It Earth
- Book recommendations
- School clubs
- Publications for teachers and students
- Shelter tours
- Animal abuse & effects
Live It Earth
In partnership with Live It Earth, a Canadian hybrid-learning library, the BC SPCA is proud to present DOGS!
Teachers and their students can join us to learn how dogs communicate and view the world around them, what the BC SPCA does to help animals, and how we can build happy relationships with the dogs in our lives.
Teachers and students can also discover more recently added Indigenous Perspective, Deep Dive and Career Pathway videos. These videos explore the unique and multifaceted relationships between dogs and Indigenous peoples in history and today.
This program, available for free to all B.C. K-7 teachers, contains reading, creative and STEM challenges, an independent study guide and feature videos with behind-the-scenes footage of the BC SPCA. All materials include links to BC Ministry of Education core and curricular competencies. Materials are available in English and French.
Book recommendations for teachers and librarians
There is a wide range of children’s and young adult books that include animals. Animals take different roles in books. The types of books we like to recommended show the human-animal bond, the intrinsic value of animals, or the ways we can make a difference for animals, the environment and each other. All are reviewed and vetted for humane content.
BC SPCA publications for teachers and students
e-Teacher: Our monthly e-newsletter for educators
Get the latest ideas on including animal themes in your classroom, as well as current events, book reviews and tips for your school club.
Sign up for e-Teacher today!
Meow!: Our annual teacher guide for integrating animal lessons into your classroom
This intermediate-level resource includes ready-to-use lessons, project ideas and stories of inspiring teachers and students.
Bark!: Our quarterly magazine for kids
The official magazine of the BC SPCA Kids Club, Bark! is sent to elementary-aged members four times a year. It is also provided to every school and public library in B.C., along with an accompanying poster and teachers’ guide to using Bark! in the classroom.
Bark! winter 2025 (PDF)
Teachers’ guide winter 2025 (PDF)
Poster winter 2025 (PDF)
Read along with us!
Visit our Presentations, Lessons & Activities page for corresponding activities for students.
- A Lucky Tale of Two Dogs (video)
written by Cathy M. Rosenthal, illustrated by Jessica Warrick
- The Happy Tale of Two Cats (video)
written by Cathy M. Rosenthal, illustrated by Jessica Warrick
School clubs
One voice is strong, but many voices are stronger! Students can join their voices together to speak for animals, and start an animal club at school. Why? Because real change happens when people join and work together for a cause – like saving and protecting animals!
We are proud to support school animal clubs across B.C. Students can check out our official BC SPCA School Club Guide (PDF) for ideas on different animal welfare issues that they can work on together as a club. The guide is also full of information on how to effectively run a club, and has lots of tips on executing different projects, fundraisers, letter-writing campaigns, and more.
Ready to start your club? It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
- GUIDE: Here’s your guide to starting your school animal club. Download our school club manual (PDF) to get started.
- REGISTER: Once you’ve reviewed, register your club (PDF) with us to receive your welcome package!
- SUBMIT: Please submit your completed registration form to education@spca.bc.ca.
The Violence Link
When children abuse animals, it may be an indicator of family violence at home — and it can escalate to violence towards others.
Find out more about the link between animal abuse and family violence (PDF), the effects of childhood animal abuse (PDF) and the importance of early intervention (PDF) in animal abuse cases.
Visit our Violence Link page for additional resources and information on reporting abuse to animals or children.