You can learn a lot about pets even if you do not have one of your own. Helping a furry or feathered friend can teach you about responsibility, loyalty, and caring. Whether with your own pet or a neighbor’s, you can realize that pets are just like people in that they need food, shelter, water, and exercise to stay healthy.
Rationale for Adventure
Bear Cub Scouts will learn how caring for a pet fosters responsibility and offers a sense of companionship that they will learn to nurture and cherish throughout their lives. Pet care gives them an opportunity to learn about their pet and provide ways to care for their pet. It also gives them an opportunity to learn about the many ways animals return the favor and assist people in need.
Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- Do one of the following:
- If you have a pet, make a list of tasks that you did to take care of the pet for two weeks.
- If you do not have a pet, research one that you would like to have and prepare a report about the care it needs.
- Complete one of the following:
- Make a poster or a PowerPoint presentation about your pet or a pet that you would like to own. Share the poster or presentation with your den, pack, or family.
- Make a poster or PowerPoint presentation explaining three ways that animals can help people. Share the poster or presentation with your den, pack, or family.
- Complete at least one of the following and share with your den, pack, or family:
- Visit with a local veterinarian or an animal shelter caretaker. Find out what types of animals she or she might see on a regular basis and the types of care he or she gives to them.
- Learn about careers that involve the care of animals. What education, training, and experience are required?
Takeaways for Cub Scouts
- Following directions
- Learning the benefits of having loyal pets and being loyal to them in return
- Showing respect and kindness for animals
- Developing patience and perseverance as they train their pets
- A Scout is kind
Historical Requirements
2015 Handbook Requirements
Bear Handbook, page 184
Bear Den Leader Handbook, page 125
- Care for a pet for two weeks. Make a list of tasks you did to take care of the pet. If you do not have a pet, research one that you would like to have and write about the care it needs.
- Learn more about your pet or a pet you would like to have. List three interesting facts that you learned about your pet.
- Make a poster about your pet or a pet you would like to own. Share your poster with your den, pack, or family.
- Do your best to train a pet to perform a trick or follow a simple command, and explain how you trained it. (If your pet is a hermit crab, fish, snake, or the like, you may skip this requirement.)
- Tell three ways that animals can help people.
- Tell what is meant by an animal being “rabid.” Name some animals that could have rabies. Explain what you should do if you are near an animal that might be rabid.
- Visit with a local veterinarian or animal shelter caretaker. Find out what types of animals he or she might see on a regular basis. Ask what type of education is needed to become a veterinarian or shelter caretaker. Why did he or she choose to pursue this career?
