Educating pet owners of the future

The Blue Cross is setting up a network of children's volunteer speakers across Kent who will visit primary schools and youth groups to teach young people about responsible pet ownership.

The first volunteers to have signed up to the national scheme and successfully completed a training course, have already been out in their local area taking their dogs to visit children at schools and youth groups helping young people understand what owning a pet entails.

Volunteers don't need a dog to join the scheme, but must have experience of working with children. The talks can be tailor-made and there are themes that fit with the national curriculum key stages 1 and 2.

Tracy Genever, children's education officer at The Blue Cross, says: "We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers in Kent, in particular Canterbury, Ashford, Faversham and Maidstone,to help us continue this important work educating the pet owners of the future and showing kids how much fun it is to own a pet. I would welcome anyone with time and experience to give me a call."

Anyone who would like to train as a children's volunteer speaker should call Tracy Genever on 01993 825596 or email education@bluecross.org.uk. Any canine companions that volunteer with their owners will be assessed.