EDUCATION SERVICES

The Humane Society of El Paso is proud to present Critters & Kids Ed-ventures! A program designed to bring animal education to local youth through a variety of events and services.

Make the most of your child’s school break and foster their love of animals with one of HSEP’s half-day camps. HSEP day camps are designed to help animal lovers explore their interests, interact with animals, and nurture their compassion for all living things. HSEP’s Paw-some Day Camps will be from October 7 – 11, 2024 with morning camps daily and afternoon camps on October 8 and 10. View the schedule of events.

Each day camp is three hours in length and includes hands-on interactions with our shelter pets, crafts, guest speakers, and more. These are drop-off camps and are for children ages six and up (excluding the animal training camp, which is for kids ages 9-12). The camps are designed for children who are not fearful of animals AND do not have allergies.

Register now! Space is limited!

Research shows reading can have a calming effect on animals. The Rescue Reader program helps provide a soothing and relaxing experience for HSEP animals as they await adoption. As a bonus-children can gain confidence and improve their reading skills!

Each reading program is one hour in length and includes a 45-minute reading session, a tour of our facility, and a special meet and greet with one of our animal ambassadors.

A parent or guardian is expected to be present with their readers for the entirety of the program. We are unable to accommodate non-reader siblings or other non-reader youth during the sessions.

The reading program is held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. throughout the year. Register for the October 2 session here!

Bring animal welfare education into the classroom and learn more about how HSEP provides care and services to animals in the El Paso area. Each presentation is 40 minutes and includes time for question and answer.

Choose from different presentations, including:

• Get to Know HSEP
• Shelter Careers
• Bite Prevention

Visit the Humane Society of El Paso for a group tour of the adoptable animals led by a professional humane educator. Learn more about the history of HSEP, the animals we care for, the services we provide, and more. 

Tours are 30 – 45 minutes in length. All participants must be at least six years old. Tours require a minimum of five people and a maximum of 20. Capacity includes children and adults attending the tour. Tours are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Reservations are required for all tours. Contact the education department at (915) 532-6971 to book your tour.

HSEP’s programs help Girl Scouts earn two specific badges. Programs can be scheduled for Brownies and Cadettes working on the Pet Badge and Animal Helpers Badge.

Pet Badge (Brownies)

Learn how to choose the companion animal that’s right for you and explore ways how to take the best care of the companion animal living in your home.

• Find out what care different companion animals need.
• Keep your companion animal comfortable.
• Help animals stay healthy and safe.
• Make a pet feel loved.
• Feed a pet.

Animal Helper Badge (Cadettes)

Discover how animals help people—and discover how you can help animals in return.

• Explore the connection between humans and animals.
• Find out how animals help keep people safe.
• Know how animals help people emotionally.
• Explore the connection between humans and animals
• Find out how you can help animals

Our furry residents love fan mail. Choose a dog or cat from the Adopt a Pet page and write them a letter.

Be sure to include the animal’s name so we know who it is for.

Mail it to:

Attn: Pet-Pal
4991 Fred Wilson
El Paso, TX 79906

Don’t forget to include a return address on your envelope so you can hear back from your new pal!