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DCAS Education Programs

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DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers engaging educational programs for children, teens, adults, and law enforcement professionals designed to:

  • Promote safe, responsible relationships between pets and people
  • Enhance the human-animal bond
  • Encourage compassion for animals and people
  • Inspire others to act on behalf of animals and promote compassionate animal care within their communities

Current Programs

Scouts

Visit Scout Programs to learn more!

Outreach

Have the shelter come to you! Our education team can bring a shelter animal* to visit your group and teach a variety of topics. Lessons are designed with your students’ needs in mind!  We are constantly creating new curriculum, and have listed some of our most popular lessons below. 

  • Wags to Whiskers: Students will learn ways body language reveals how we and our animal friends feel. Through games and activities, students will learn to safely interact with animals.
  • Pet Protectors: Our pets need many things from us to keep them happy and healthy. Students will explore what being a responsible pet guardian means for a variety of animals.
  • Our Wild Neighbors: Chicagoland is full of wild animals both amazing and helpful. Learn how every animal benefits the environment and how we can keep them safe.
  • Paw and Order: When an animal is in trouble, who can help them? Learn how animal control officers protect lost pets and our communities.
  • Richie Enriched: Understand what pets need to feel happy and how we make shelter animals comfortable while they wait for their new family.
  • Broken Items: Everyone deserves a happy home, learn about the challenges we face at the shelter and practice persuasive writing skills to find pets a new home.

*Outreach animals are available depending on the shelter's population at the time of the program. Program fees vary, email our education team to learn more!

Pet First Aid & CPR Workshop

  • $100 per participant, 16 years old and up.
  • Slots are available first come, first served.
  • This course teaches first aid techniques to address the most common emergencies pet owners may experience with dogs and cats in the household. This course will train you to notice abnormalities and detect early warning signs in pets. You will also learn essential pre-vet care and life-saving techniques for those times when immediate action can make all the difference.
  • Please remember, your slot is not secured until payment is received.

Follow the link below to register. Email humane.education@dupageco.org to be added to the waitlist for any date.

  • November 4th, 9am-3pm
  • December 9th, 9am-3pm

Register for your spot!

Custom Programming

The DCAS Education department can create content to meet your specific needs. Program types include but are not limited to:

  • Virtual webinars offered live or pre-recorded (To view past webinars, visit the DCAS on YouTube)
  • In-person presentations, seminars, and workshops - for classrooms, daycares, park districts, libraries, and other organizations

Special Events

DuPage County Animal Services regularly participates in community outreach, awareness, and adoption events and we would love to see you there! All upcoming educational offerings and events can be found on the shelter’s Events calendar. 

Turn the Education Flyer into an Origami Cat

Did you pick up one of our education flyers? You can make an origami cat by following this video:

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