Lesson Plan:
Are You and Your Pet Good Citizens?

Objective

To learn that being a responsible pet owner is also being a good citizen.

Materials

Photos of students' favorite pets and poster board to mount pictures for display.

Procedure

By completing charts and questionnaires, students will learn that they need to think about time, money, and environment when adopting a pet. (Click HERE for worksheet on Time, Money, and Environment.)

Subject Areas: Research skills, graphing, comparing information, animal needs, and math.

Introduction: Collect pictures of favorite pets and mount them on poster boards. Guide students in answering questions about proper pet care. What do you think about when you are holding a cute, adorable kitten or puppy? Do you think about time, money, or environment? What do animals need to be healthy?

Time: Have students complete the Time worksheet. Discuss the time commitment involved in taking care of a pet. Remind students that their pet is a living being, not unlike themselves, who needs food, exercise, grooming, and companionship.

Money: What are the costs of taking care of a pet? Areas include: food, water, cage, tank, toys, license, tags, veterinary care, leash, grooming, pet books, and cleaning supplies.

Environment: Do you have the right environment where you live for a pet? What about space? Landlord approval? Can you cope with muddy paw prints, cat hair, cleaning a fish tank regularly, the nocturnal activities of a hamster? How big will your pet grow to be? Does your pet fit your activities?