Whether you come to us or we come to you, we have an educational program opportunity sure to suit almost everyone!  These experiences focus on our core mission of inspiring communities and educating the public about the wonderful world of animals and how to positively coexist with them, with the goal of fostering a lifelong appreciation of animals and the environment.  

The Humane & Wildlife Education Department core values and guiding principles include up-to-date and science-based content, engaging and impactful methods of educating, sustainable and eco-friendly practices, accessibility and inclusivity to all in our community, and empowering all who are touched by our programming.  

Ready to go?

Explore our variety of programs for all ages! To inquire about or request a program, you can do any of the following: 

412-345-7300, ext. 501 | Email: education@humaneanimalrescue.org

Seasonal Programs

Happy Howl-idays! Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh is proud to present a night of family fun at our East Side Domestic Shelter! Dress up in your most festive holiday pajamas or sweater, bring a book and your favorite mugs (for hot chocolate of course!), and prepare yourselves for an evening of merriment! There will be crafts, reading to adoptable animals, and other activities to help spread holiday cheer to our resident animals.   

In the spirit of giving, we welcome you to bring any donations to help support animals in need, but it is not required.  

This event is designed for families with children ages 4-16. (Child participants must be accompanied by an adult). 

This paw-ty takes place on Friday, December 8th, 2023 from 6:00 pm -8:00 pm.    

  • Pricing: $15 per child, $5 per adult (multi-sibling discounts available at checkout) 
  • Location: East Side Domestic Shelter, 6926 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 
  • Allergens: We do our best to make our programming a safe and inclusive space, but be advised that there may be allergens present in our facility (like pollen, animal dander, and nuts).  

Register Here

Animal Tales is a program in which children ages 4-12 can come and read to animals in the East Side shelter! 

Participants attend an orientation to learn all about our HARP shelter, the domestic animals here, and the keys to observing animal behavior. Once you and your child attend an orientation, they can sign up for as many or as few assigned dates to come read to the animals! Children can bring their own books (or choose from our collection), grab a carpet square, and then read to animals whose kennels are marked with a “Read to me next!

This program not only helps to socialize the animals in our shelter to help expedite their adoption but also helps children improve their confidence and literacy as well.

Animal Tales runs during the spring semester, so check back in January for 2024’s dates and times! Can’t wait to join us? We also offer our Animal Tales program as a field trip option for schools and groups! More information can be found below under the Tours and Field Trips section.

Camp Rescue is a week-long program for kids entering 1st through 6th grade. We play games, make crafts, and most importantly, learn how to be an advocate for the animals around us, both domestic and wild! We’re currently busy visiting schools, libraries, community events, and more, but be sure to check back on February 1st for dates and registration! If you’d like to be added to our email list, feel free to reach out to us! 

Scholarships are available for individuals who attend Title-1 schools. Please reach out to the Education Department for more information. 

Junior Rehabber Corps

Have you ever wanted to explore a career working with animals or helping protect wildlife? Join our Junior Rehabber Corps (JRC), a hands-on teen career exploration program, that focuses on topics such as wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, animal husbandry, careers, research, wildlife biology, and more!  Classes include animal ambassador appearances, guest speakers from professionals in the field, hands-on activities, digital resources, interconnected lessons, and more.  

We’re currently working on developing additional teen programming throughout the school year, so if you’re interested in learning with us, feel free to reach out to be added to our email list! Keep your eye out for those programs coming soon, and be sure to check back on February 1st for our summer dates and registration!  

Scholarships are available for individuals who attend Title-1 schools. Please reach out to the Education Department for more information. 

Tours & Field Trips 

Domestic Shelter Tour:

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run an animal shelter? Come see where the magic happens! Being one of the state’s largest animal resource centers, we take pride in serving thousands of animals every year through our adoption centers, veterinary clinics, and community programs. On tour, we will learn about how we care for the animals in a domestic animal shelter and how we provide a multitude of important services to the community. Tours last about 45 minutes, depending on the group size. 

Pricing: $20 per adult; $10 per child between ages 3-17; children under 2 are free. 

To Schedule: Please let know the Education Department know three possible dates and times you are interested in, so that we may check our calendar of availability. 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Tour:

Come take a walk on the Wild Side!  Take a tour of our facility to learn about how we care for sick, injured, and orphaned native PA wildlife. Our fully licensed wildlife facility admits more than 4,000 animals of over 130 unique species annually, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Tours last 45 minutes and are led by the Education Staff, and participants are free to interact with staff and ask questions along the way!  

Pricing: $20 per adult; $10 per child between ages 3-17; children under 2 are free. 

To Schedule: Please let the Education Department know three possible dates and times you are interested in, so that we may check our calendar of availability. 

Field trips give students a behind the scenes look at what it takes to care for animals and provide resources for the community. Each field trip includes a program presented on-site in our classroom space and a tour of the facility. Each Field Trip lasts about 1.5 hours, with ½ for the tour and ½ for the program presentation.   

Location: Field trips can be held at any of our three facilities. We have two domestic animal shelter locations. (Our East Side location is at 6926 Hamilton Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15208, and our North Side location is 1101 Western Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15233.) We also have a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (located at 6000 Verona Road, Verona PA 15147). 

Recommended Programs for Domestic Shelter Field Trips:

  • Whiskers, Wings, and Everything in Between 
  • Animal Body Language and Behavior 
  • Animal Career Exploration 

Recommended Programs for Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Field Trips: 

  • Wildlife Rehabilitation 101 
  • Animals of the Night 

Pricing:  $250 – Program and tour for up to 25 people

  • More than the recommended number of students will need to be split and rotated through each experience  
  • Additional $175 for split groups. 

To Schedule: Please let know the Education Department know three possible dates and times you are interested in, so that we may check our calendar of availability. 

Other Considerations:  

  • You must provide your own transportation for your group.  
  • Chaperone Ratio: We recommend a ratio of 1 chaperone to every 12 students.

Animal Tales for School Groups (Grades 1-12)  

Come visit our domestic shelter for a wag-worthy, one-of-a-kind experience! Bring your class for a field trip to learn about and then read to some of the adoptable animals in our care. Participants will first have a presentation to learn all about our HARP shelter, the domestic animals here, and the keys to observing animal behavior. Once we learn the ropes of “how to speak cat or dog”, students can grab their book, hop on a carpet square, and then read to animals whose kennels are marked with a “Read to me next!” sign. (Students are encouraged to bring their own books, but they are also welcome to choose from our collection.)  

The presentation will last roughly 30 minutes and the reading session will last roughly one hour. (The program will be 1.5 hours in total.)  

Reading to the designated animals during this program not only helps to socialize the animals in our shelter to help expedite their adoption, but also helps children improve their confidence and literacy as well.  

Pricing: $250 per class  

To Schedule: Please let the Education Department know three possible dates and times you are interested in, so that we may check our calendar of availability.  

Group Size: To ensure the best quality experience while on tour for both your group and our staff and patrons, we recommend group sizes of no more than 25 people at one time.   

Other Considerations:   

  • You must provide your own transportation for your group.   
  • Chaperone Ratio: We recommend a ratio of 1 chaperone to every 8 students for grades 1-4, and 1 chaperone to every 10 students for grades 5-12.  
  • Please note that while we strive to make our facilities as welcoming to all as possible, please note that there may be allergens present on our campus, such as dander, pollen, and nuts.  

 

Education for All – (Presentations & Assemblies for School Groups and Other Organizations)

Want us to come to you? Whether it be a school group, library, or community organization, check out our catalogue of programs we can present to your group! 

These programs are designed as an engaging assembly-style presentation for large or small groups.  Age range options are listed with each topic below. Note: In most cases, these classes can be slightly modified to fit your group or school’s specific curriculum or time frame requirements. Each program typically lasts 45 minutes. Programs can be done for multi-grade assemblies.

Thanks to generous donors, HARP is offering free in-school programs at Title 1 schools. Learn more here.

List of Program Options:

Some animals slither on the ground while others soar through the clouds. Learn about the different ways animals get around and show your peers what it would be like if you were to act like an animal. This is a program for children ages 4-6. 

Untamed Colors and Patterns! Wild animals use colors and patterns to communicate with each other and to hide from danger. Learn how animals use the color wheel to their advantage. This is a for children ages 4-6. 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to rehabilitate and release sick, injured or orphaned native Pennsylvania Wildlife? Boasting the second largest wildlife hospital in PA, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh treats over 130 different species every year! This program will give you a behind the scenes look at all it takes for our Wildlife Rehabilitators to care for anything from an owl to an opossum! 

Do you want to learn what it takes to care for all different kinds of companion animals? How can you keep your pet healthy both physically and mentally? This program will introduce you to the basics of how us pros give domestic animals the care they need and love they deserve. 

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak to animals? While we can’t teach you how to understand what meow means, we can certainly bridge the communication gap by helping you to recognize animal body language! In doing so, we can also learn about what our body language communicates back to the animals and how we can create a more paws-itive interaction as a result. 

Ever dream of working with animals one day? Well, there are more options than what you might think! Explore the wonderful world of animal welfare careers and open your mind to possible futures you may not have even known existed. From helping pets to saving endangered species, the future is in your paws! 

Do you ever wonder which animals are on the prowl outdoors when you are asleep? How do they adapt and navigate the world when the sun goes down? This program answers these questions and even gives a glimpse into how you can help these nocturnal natives!

When the weather gets colder, have you ever wondered how animals cope with the change in the seasons too? Cozy up and learn about the many different ways the animals in our backyard deal with the cold!  

Have an animal nesting or using a space that you would prefer they did not? We’ll explain cohabitation techniques called Humane Harassment that help spare the lives of animals and give you peace of mind! We’ll also go over tips to help foster your own little ecosystem in your yard. Whether it’s by becoming a waystation for Monarch Butterflies, opting for more Earth-friendly practices, or getting involved with Citizen Science, there are no limits to the positive impact that you can have on the natural world! 

This program provides a head to tail look at how we operate one of Pennsylvania’s largest non-profit organizations that is dedicated to the welfare of animals both domestic and wild and to providing numerous resources for the community.  Our educators will discuss what goes into our domestic shelter operations and resources (such as vet clinics, a pet food pantry, adoptions, and more) as well as how our wildlife rehabilitation center treats over 4,000 native wildlife every year! This program is ideal as a Lunch and Learn for adults or community groups, or for anyone who wants to learn about how we care for animals and inspire communities.  

We have done a variety of virtual and in-person programming for homeschool groups. Whether it be a tour, fieldtrip, or virtual presentation of one of our assemblies, if you have a homeschool group interested in learning with us, reach out to us! 

Pricing: Program cost is $125 for us to travel to your facility.  

  • Additional $50 fee for programs outside of Allegheny County.  
  • Additional $50 for an additional animal ambassador.  
  • Additional $50 for each additional consecutive program.  
  • These programs can also be offered virtually via Zoom for $75.
  • Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Scheduling: Please let know the Education Department know three possible dates and times you are interested in, so that we may check our calendar of availability. To inquire about or request a program, please contact using the following information: 412-345-7300, ext. 501 | Email: education@humaneanimalrescue.org

Request a Program

Other Ways to Get Involved

Engaging with our community is very important to us, so if you have a group or organization looking to learn more, we’d love to collaborate with you!  

Information Tables – Having an event like a science fair or community program? We can come to your event and share some fun informal education on the wonderful world of animal welfare. Times and animals may vary depending on location and event. Contact the Education Department to learn more!  

HARP encourages instilling leadership in the youth of our community to create the next generation of animal advocates and environmental stewards. We have provided a number of high school students in the past with opportunities to complete various projects from our project list (for Eagle Projects, Silver Award projects, and Senior projects), including things such as building a nest box, turtle enclosures, after-hours drop off cabinet, amphitheater, or raised garden beds. Projects completed for us not only provide a lasting impact for our facility but also on the youth who complete them. Contact us today to see if we have any projects available. 

Scout Programming

Check back in the new year for dates when we will be hosting an Outdoor Challenge Day! 

Do you have a Scout group in need of an animal-related experience to meet a requirement? Reach out to schedule a tour or program or to see how we can help your group achieve their goals.  

Daisy

Are you looking for a fun, alternative way to help your Daisy Troop earn some badges? Check out Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and earn an “Outdoor Art Maker” badge! We will seek artistic inspiration by observing nature and scouts will even get the chance to meet a wild animal guest! This class lasts about 1 hour and is suggested for Daisy-aged girls (5-7 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Daisy Scouts: $100 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Brownie

Brownie Scouts will get a unique opportunity to go outside, get inspired, and be creative at the “Outdoor Art Creator” badge class. Scouts will become inspired by the outdoors to make something and design with nature. They will even meet an animal guest in the process! We will spend time both inside our classroom and outside as well, so appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended. This class lasts about 1.5 hours and is suggested for Brownie Scout-aged girls (7-10 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Brownie Scouts: $125 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Sights, sounds, and smells, oh my! Brownie Scouts can complete all requirements for their “Senses” badge during this class.  Learn all about the super and silly ways animals sense the world and meet a live animal too! Scouts will play games and do hands-on activities to explore the 5 senses.  We will spend time both inside our classroom and outside as well, so appropriate clothing and footwear is recommended.  This class lasts about 1.5 hours and is suggested for Brownie Scout-aged girls.     

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Brownie Scouts: $125 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Open your eyes to the wonderful wildlife around us and learn how to help keep it protected! Brownie Scouts will get an up-close look at outdoor spaces and animal homes and even meet a native Pennsylvania animal guest! Scouts will have a chance to practice their conservation skills by coming up with ways to be kind to nature and improve outdoor spaces. We will spend time both inside our classroom and outside as well, so appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended. This class lasts about 1.5 hours and is suggested for Brownie Scout-aged girls (7-10 years old).  

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Brownie Scouts: $125 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Do you know a group of Girl Scouts who are looking to earn their “Pets” badge? Join us for a fun, hands on lesson all about pets! Brownies will get a unique experience while learning all about how to keep pets happy and healthy. The class includes a tour of one of our shelters as well as activities and lessons to complete all of the requirements of the Brownie “Pets” badge. Scouts will even get a chance to meet a few animal guests! This class lasts about 1.5 hours and is suggested for Brownie-aged girls (7-10 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at either of Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Domestic Shelters.   

Pricing for Brownie Scouts: $125 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Crawling, fluttering, and buzzing! Brownie scouts can complete all requirements for their “Bugs” badge during this fun-filled class. Attendees will learn all about the insects that live around us and how important they are! This lesson includes fun insect-themed crafts and a visit with an animal guest! Through this lesson, Scouts will complete all of the requirements of the “Bugs” badge. The class lasts about one hour and is suggested for Brownie-aged girls (7-10 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Brownie Scouts: $125 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee. 

Junior

Is your Junior Girl Scout troop looking to earn their “Animal Habitats” badge? Come on down to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to gain a rewarding experience learning about wild animals and their habitats that surround us! Scouts will even get the chance to meet an animal guest! This class includes activities to complete all of the requirements of the Junior Scouts “Animal Habitats” badge. We will provide all of the necessary materials for research and completion of each step; all you need is yourself! This class lasts roughly 2 hours. It is suggested for Junior Scout-aged girls (8-12 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Junior Scouts: $175 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee.  

Cadette

Do you have a Cadette Troop looking to earn their “Night Owl” badge? Join us at Humane Animal Rescue’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where Cadette Scouts can explore our campus during the evening hours to see how the world changes when the sun goes down. Meet a nocturnal animal while learning about what makes these kinds of animals so unique. Come join us for a night filled with fun, learning, and exploration! This class includes activities to complete all of the requirements of the Cadette Scouts badge. This class lasts roughly 2 hours. It is suggested for Cadette Scout-aged girls (12-14 years old).   

Badges are not included. Program hosted at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.   

Pricing for Cadette Scouts: $175 flat rate fee for troops. If there are more than 15 Scouts, there is an additional $50 fee. Programs that start at or after 6 p.m., there will be an additional $50 fee.  

Note on Allergens and Accessibility: 

  • ALLERGENS: We do our best to make our programming a safe and inclusive space, but please be advised that there may be allergens present on our facility (like pollen, animal dander, nuts, and peanut butter). 

  • PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY: Please be advised that there may be uneven pavement and gravel at certain portions of the driveway at the Wildlife Center, so appropriate footwear is advised. The Wildlife Center currently does not have designated handicap parking spaces, so please let us know if you need an accessible spot to be reserved in advance of your arrival. 

  • FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY:  A part of our mission at HARP is to provide equal access to all members of our community. We want to provide programming options regardless of ability to pay, so we offer a variety of scholarships and other means of assistance and fee waivers. Please contact the education department for more information if applicable.  

  • OTHER ACCOMODATIONS: If other accommodations are applicable to your group (such as groups with learning delays or in need of interpreters), please contact the education department for more information. 

Payment and Cancellation Policy

Payment can be made via exact cash or check. Checks can made out to “Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh” and mailed to the following address: 

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh 

ATN: Education Department 

6000 Verona Road 

Verona, PA 15147 

If you must cancel or reschedule your program, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule or cancel for no fee. To cancel or reschedule a program, contact our Education Department via telephone at 412-345-7300 x501 or via email at education@humaneanimalrescue.org.  

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