Humane Education

Denver Animal Shelter is committed to teaching the public about animals, their needs, and our critical role as a community resource. Education is a key component to helping us reach our goal of making Denver the most pet friendly city in the United States and ensuring that owners have the tools to take care of their pets and respect our urban wildlife. Our commitment to education includes providing presentations on a range of topics to a variety of groups including schools, businesses, community groups, and youth groups. 

As far as animal welfare goes in the US, Denver is one of the most progressive cities in our country, with Denver Animal Shelter at forefront of that work. Viewing animal welfare through a One Health lens, we play a key role in the public health of our city. Tours offer a look into the work that we do not only in our building, but also how it relates to the work we do out in our community every day. 

Tours & Educational Opportunities

Education Options

  • Guided Tours - We offer an inside look into how our animal shelter operates as well as the work that we do to protect the animals in our community. Time: 30-45 minutes. 
    Cost: Suggested donation $25

  • Guided Tour and Presentation - Not only does this include the guided group tour, but also a presentation that will involve different staff members and volunteers talking about DAP’s work, responsible pet ownership, or pet safety. Time: 1.5 hr. 
    Cost: Suggested donation $75

  • Educational Special Opportunities - For inquiries into hosting a special event in our Community Room or Special Humane Education requests, please contact kayla.montoya@denvergov.org. Special Event Opportunities vary and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

         Bite Prevention

Each of these classes are tailored to a specific group and reviews basic dog behavior, how dogs communicate, ways to avoid bites, and what to do if you are bitten. 

  • Pre-K-5th Grade (45 minutes)
  • Delivery Personnel (45 minutes)
  • General Public (45 minutes)
  • Utility Workers (45 minutes)

 
DAP’s Response to Bites (45 minutes)

This class is catered towards other shelters and veterinary clinics; it reviews what Denver Animal Protection needs to complete a bite investigation. It covers the rules of quarantine as well as possible enforcement action that may be taken by Animal Protection Officers. It goes over the importance of reporting bites and how to report a bite in Denver.

Shelter Careers (Pick Two – 30 Minutes Each for 1 Hour Total)

A series of presentations focused on the lifesaving work, career opportunities, and amazing stories of different departments within Denver Animal Protection. Current presentations focus on the work of the following teams:

The Veterinary Clinic: Learn about the day-to-day work of our veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who provide critical medical services to our shelter population. This presentation is well suited for students interested in a future in veterinary medicine.

Behavior and Care: Hear from a Behavior and Care Technician about their work assessing the mental health of animals and developing care plans that give a pet the best chance of success in a shelter environment, and in their future home. When given on site at Denver Animal Protection, this presentation may include a demonstration involving a shelter animal.

Client Services: Our client services team is the first point of contact most people make when working with Denver Animal Protection. They return lost animals to their families, help our shelter pets find their forever home, and are often the first people a frightened stray interacts with after being rescued. This presentation is better suited for older students or adult groups who want to learn more about adoptions, relinquishment, and the many other services provided to our community.

Community Programs: We could not do this work without you! By opening our doors and inviting people to join us in our mission, we have expanded our scope of care and created a network of ambassadors across our city. Our Volunteer and Foster Programs allow people directly support shelter animals, while Community Engagement connects owners with veterinary services and humane education programs. This presentation is best suited for older students or adult groups who are interested in community outreach work as it relates to animal welfare.

Animal Protection Officer 101 (60 minutes)

This class teaches students about what Animal Protection Officers do for the community and its pets. Learn about the types of calls that DAP  Officers handle with real life examples. This is an interactive class where students may get the opportunity to explore the Officer’s vehicle        and tools that are used in the field. (Weather dependent).

Responsible Pet Ownership (45 Minutes)

This class is for students from Pre-K to 5th grade. It goes over the basic needs for pets and covers what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

DAP 101 (45 Minutes)

This class gives an overview of who we are, what we do, and how we help people and pets in the community at Denver Animal Protection. This class can be flexed for any age group.

 

Tour Guidelines & Schedule

Schedule

  • Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
  • Thursdays at 11 a.m.
  • Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Guidelines

  • Interested in touring Denver Animal Shelter? Contact us at dap.outreach@denvergov.org to get on our schedule.
  • Up to 25 individuals
  • At least one adult chaperons is required per eight children under 16 years
  • All attendees must be at least five-years old
  • See Education Options above for fees and donations

Apply to Participate in an Human Education Program

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