The Humane Society was chosen as a class project for Central first grade classes.  Teachers Terry Windsor, Mary Rogers, and Melodie McDonald organized the project.  These teachers got the students interested in the Humane Society, as we are a nonprofit organization that depends on community support.  The kids were asked to bring items that were needed by the Humane Society to school.  The collection began and pet food, cat litter, paper towels and cat toys began to arrive.  After the drive was completed the kids loaded up on their school buses and brought the donation to the shelter!  Clyde Brown and "Pearl Harbor" greeted them.  "Harbor" is a Bullmastiff that the Humane Society is using as a representative for the pets here.  The kids were awed by the size of the dog and by his loving personality.  The staff at the Humane Society were grateful for the donations and to the teachers and children responsible for making this happen.

May 22nd two staff members went to Central School and visited with all 140 children of the first grade.  As we know, dog bites have become a problem in Angelina County.  The Humane Society felt that the best way to show our appreciation to Central first graders was to have a dog bite prevention class just for them.  The children were taught how to approach dogs when the dog is with its owner, that some dogs might be prone to bite under certain circumstances, even if it's your own dog, always report stray dogs to their teachers (if at school) and their parents, never to approach a stray dog, and never tease a dog, i.e. pull it's tail or ears.  The children were also told to never pick up a dead or sick bat.  They were told that bats are the primary carrier of rabies, and all wildlife should be left alone and reported to an adult if seen. 

Representing the Humane Society at Central School were Clyde Brown with "Pepper" his Boston Terrier that come from Austin Boston Rescue, and Kim Frels with "Hooch", a Humane Society adopted Boxer.  The children were given a demonstration on how to pet someone's dog using "Pepper" and "Hooch".  (I think they liked this part the most!)  All the students received educational coloring books and a book marker.  The material given covered topics concerning rabies and how to avoid dog bites.