Kids and animals seem to have an unbreakable bond. Because of this, the best way to encourage future pet owners may be through education about how dogs and cats behave and how to care for them.The Charlotte Observer
reports that two local animal rescue
organizations in North Carolina are hosting summer camps that encourage kids to interact with animals while learning about pet care and safety.
The rescue shelters have seen an increase of dogs and cats coming in, so they are using these animals to help inform the children about what it means to be a pet owner.
"We're trying to teach kids that taking on a pet is a lifetime responsibility," Patsy Beeker, director of animal rescue Kitty City, told the news source. "It's not over after six months when they're not cute anymore."
The summer camps run by the animal rescue shelter
teach children how to do thing like bathe their pets and clip their toenails. They also learn how to make homemade treats for their furry friends.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that six to eight million pets enter rescue shelters every year in the United States.