Cheltenham Animal Shelter strongly believes that educating people about responsible pet ownership will help to reduce neglect within our community. Our Education Officer - Deborah Lake - works with many schools, community groups and organisations to promote responsible pet ownership. Every animal that is rehomed through the shelter is either neutered before it leaves or shortly afterwards. This, combined with promoting neutering as a positive step in responsible pet ownership will, we hope, one day reduce the number of stray and abandoned animals in our area.
    
Educational Talks     

The Education Officer is able to provide educational talks on a variety of subjects based around responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. The shelter aims to educate as many members of the public as possible and can provide this service to groups including schools, colleges and adult organisations such as community and church groups and the WI.

If you belong to an organisation or and would like to arrange a talk or a visit to the shelter, please contact Deborah Lake on 01242 548775 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    
Animal Days     

Last year we saw the launch of our very popular Animal Day programme. The programme aims to give young people the opportunity to attend the shelter during their schools breaks to learn about responsible pet ownership and other animal related issues. It also gives children an opportunity to gain some hands on experience with companion animals. A typical Animal Day runs from 9am to 2pm and costs £25.

For further details about our Animal Days and this years dates and availability please contact Deborah Lake on 01242 548775 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    
Work Experience     

Cheltenham Animal Shelter also accommodates work experience placements from schools, colleges and employment agencies throughout the year. If you are interested in undertaking your work experience at Cheltenham Animal Shelter please contact the Deborah Lake on 01242 548775 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    
The HALT Project     

A unique part of the shelter's education portfolio is the HALT Project (Humans and Animals Learning Together), an animal assisted therapy programme delivered five times a year for ‘at risk’ youth in Gloucestershire. It allows young people, many of whom have been excluded from school, to come to the Shelter for a four week course designed to foster compassion, respect and responsibility. During the course attendees are paired up with homeless dogs which they must care for and train; this not only helps the students but also benefits the shelter by having dogs that are ultimately more re-homable as they understand basic commands. Graduates of this programme have in many instances gone back into mainstream education and we are proud to lead the UK in this exciting initiative.