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Home > Out of the Cage! > Summer 2007 > The Animal Club at Hunter College Elementary School Gives Humane Education a Boost in NYC The Animal Club at Hunter College Elementary School Gives Humane Education a Boost in NYC
by Nancy Fahnestock, CSM Stray Foundation New York's humane education law, enacted in 1947, requires instruction in the humane care and treatment of animals. Unfortunately, according to representatives from Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers (HEART) and the League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV-NYC), the law has not been enforced, and few educators know of its existence. In September 2006, New York City Council Member Tony Avella introduced a resolution urging the New York City Department of Education to help schools comply with New York State's Humane Education Law by issuing a memo to all public schools in the city. As a result, Rebecca Kreinen, a teacher at Hunter College Elementary School, enlisted the participation of various Mayor's Alliance participating organizations and community animal advocates to become a part of an exciting new program at her school.
The Animal Club at Hunter College Elementary School was created by faculty member Rebecca Kreinen to bring people involved in the care, rescue, or advocacy of animals — either as a personal mission or a profession — to educate students about the animals they are involved with and the nature of the work they do. "I want the children to be inspired to see themselves having any number of ways to be involved or help animals, " she explains. In the fall of 2006, CSM Stray Foundation was the first group invited to attend the Animal Club at Hunter Elementary. Representing the group was Nancy Fahnestock, who presented the students with literature and films about feral cats, and a demonstration of a feral cat trapping (using a mock cat). Nancy explained the importance of spaying or neutering and microchipping pets, and talked about trap-neuter-return and care of feral cats who are not adoptable.
Subsequently, other organizations were invited to present to the students at the Animal Club. Among the presenters: Joanne Pentangelo, ASPCA Humane Education; Stephanie Smith and Greer Griffiths, Delta Dogs/ASPCA (therapy dogs); Jennifer Stevens, independent pigeon rescuer; Lorri Cramer, Wildlife Rehabilitator/NY Turtle and Tortoise Society; Dr. Daniel Weinstein, African Frog researcher, Mount Sinai Hospital; Beatriz Cazeneuvesierra, New York Birds; Raquel Cintron, Organizer, The New York City Rat Meetup Group/Co-Owner, Rattie Health Yahoo Group; and Cindy Stutts, Bunny Rescue Division of Animal Care & Control/Rabbit Rescue & Rehab (Chapter of the House Rabbit Society). In June 2007, CSM Stray Foundation made an encore appearance at the Animal Club, which featured the presentation of Community Service Awards to students. The students were recognized for their efforts on behalf of animals, including their workshop participation, food drives for birds and feral cats, and blanket donations for shelters. Susan Brandt, founder and president of Rational Animal, was on hand to distribute Rational Animal's Trails to Tails maps and orange ribbons to the students. The orange ribbon is a symbol of animal advocacy, awareness, and adoption.
In the coming months, Rational Animal will work with the students to coordinate a Public Service spot to promote helping animals at risk and informing people of the resources available in NYC. The students also were invited to participate in a neighborhood street fair in Williamsburg to help survey people's general knowledge about animal resources available to the public. To find out more about the Animal Club at Hunter College Elementary School or to get involved in the program, contact Rebecca Kreinen (rkreinen@hccs.hunter.cuny.edu) at the Hunter College Elementary School.
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