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Up Cycled Dog Toys for the SPCA Montreal

Vision

Our vision for Canada is… to build empathy for each other and the natural world around us. Using old fabric and t-shirts, students created dog toys for the dogs in the shelter. Students learned that empathy building helps us feel more connected to the community and to the environment. Students learned about how animals end up in the shelter and what they can do to prevent the increasing numbers of animals that are left in the shelter. They also learned about the different needs of the animals and explored their needs in relation to the animals needs. The students learned that ultimately animals require the same thing humans do: love, empathy and care.
The project was a partnership with B.A.S.E. Daycare, ENGAGE Animal Welfare (by proxy SPCA) and Equitas-International Centre for Human Rights Education. The students first learned about their human rights- which include the right to a clean and safe environment- then were asked to take what they learned from their exploration of their rights and apply it to something within the community and the environment. This is how the idea of dog toys for shelter animals was created. Helping the students build a stronger relationship with their community and the human and non human animals that live within their community.

Action

Using old fabric and old t-shirts the students learned how to make DIY dog toys. The ENGAGE Animal Welfare Program came into the classroom and thew students presented their dog toys to them so they could be given to the SPCA Montreal. The students learned that you do not need to buy new things and spend money in order to show someone you care. You can help the environment by using materials that they already have at home to create a new life for the item. The students learned that within the “3 R’s” the most helpful are reduce and reuse. The students learned now to reduce waste by reusing and up-cycling the t-shirts. The SPCA was very thankful for the dog toys the students made. It was important for the students to feel empowered by their actions- environmental issues and animal welfare issues are very large and seem intimidating but the students learned that small acts of kindness and thinking about the sourcing of materials can be enough to make a difference.

Reflection & Celebration

The students learned that within the “3 R’s” the most helpful are reduce and reuse. The students learned now to reduce waste by reusing and up-cycling the t-shirts. The SPCA was very thankful for the dog toys the students made. It was important for the students to feel empowered by their actions- environmental issues and animal welfare issues are very large and seem intimidating but the students learned that small acts of kindness and thinking about the sourcing of materials can be enough to make a difference.

This stewardship that they learned will be carried through to their school garden and to future collaborations with the SPCA (they are already talking about trying to start a drive for the SPCA at their school next year).

Links

Check out our project on Instagram!

12. Responsible Consumption and Production
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