Register for Kids for Critters Camp and Pet Etc. Classes

Register Online

Register by Phone: (314) 951-1579

Pet Etc. Classes are fun, two-hour animal encounters where children learn about finned, furry or feathered friends and make a cool keepsake to take home.

With the exception of Round-Up at the Ranch which takes place at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, each Pet Etc. Class is held at 1201 Macklind Avenue in St. Louis.

Classes run from 10 a.m. until noon and cost just $10 each, so sign up for as many as you like!

Round Up at the Ranch (Union, MO location)
Ages 6-8: 10 a.m. - noon on Wednesday, June 21
This session is full.
Ages 9-11: 10 a.m. - noon on Wednesday, July 19
This session is full.
Ages 12-14: 10 a.m. - noon on Wednesday, August 2

Slip on your boots city slickers and come on down Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. Visit with rescued pigs, chickens, goats, horses and cows. We'll take a hayride into the pasture and learn how to groom a horse.

Yee Haw!

Furball Fun
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, June 15
Ages 6-9

Have a ball learning about rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and more! Hamsters, ferrets and gerbils galore! Explore the wonderful world of small mammals. Find out what they need and how to care for these nocturnal animals in your home. Meet these enchanting creatures right here at HSM, as well as the experts from the Missouri House Rabbit Society and FURRY: Ferrets Underfoot Running Round You!

Pets, Picasso & Pavarotti: Animals in the Arts
10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, June 20
Ages 10-14

Unleash your creativity and love for animals through art! Animals play a part in every culture around the world and can be found in all types of art. Join us as we make some masterpieces of our own! Express yourself and your feelings about animals by molding an interesting sculpture, sketching a comical character and painting a masterpiece upside down like Michelangelo!

Make Yourself and Rover Healthy All Over!
9 a.m. – noon on Tuesday, June 27
Ages 8-12
Fee: $15

Join us for a dog-gone good time exploring man’s best friend…the DOG! When it comes to good health, you and your dog have more in common than you think! So roll over, right off that couch and into the Humane Society of Missouri for a fun-filled day of activities that will teach you how to take care of yourself and your canine best friend. Learn how to stop body odor and bad breath dead in its tracks, discover tasty tidbits that are healthier for both of you; Unleash your energy while learning fun ways to stay in shape and Fetch yourself a behind-the-scenes tour of the Humane Society of Missouri adoption center and veterinary medical center! This class is so jam-packed with fun that we couldn’t fit it all in in two hours so join us for three hours of fun! This class is taught by registered nurses and dieticians from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and specially trained humane educators from the Humane Society of Missouri!

Be an Angel for the Animals: Put Your Compassion Into Action!
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, June 29
Ages 10-14

If you’re ready to tackle the more difficult issues affecting animals in our community, this is the class for you. Find out how you can help stray animals, animals used in dog fights, dogs in puppy mills and animals used for entertainment. The motto for this class is: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Start making a difference for animals today, we’ll show you how!!! Meet an animal advocate from the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, a non-profit group that helps develop important laws to protect our animal friends.

Toys for Pets: Santa’s Workshop in July
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, July 6
Ages 6-9
This session is full.

Pets like toys just like we do! Toys help us unleash our energy and help us exercise in fun and exciting ways! Our shelter pets need stimulation. Join us in Santa’s Workshop in July as we create toys of all kinds for pets of many shapes and sizes. We’ll make something for our furred, finned and feathered friends and we’ll do it using as many recyclable materials that we can find. Who knew grocery bags, toilet paper rolls and old socks could be so much fun?! This is sure to be a fun way to spend a hot summer day indoors, making presents for shelter pets! You’ll get to take a present home for your pet too!!

Felines, Pharaohs and Fun, Oh My!
10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, July 11
Ages 6-9

Travel back in time to ancient Egypt where the domestic cat was first discovered. You won’t grow catatonic on this adventure, that is for sure! Embark on a fun journey with us as we explore the wonderful world of cats! They come in all shapes and sizes. They live in houses, jungles and mountains. They have stolen our hearts and homes. There is so much to learn about America’s most popular pet, the cat! The best part is you get to meet many special cats here at the Humane Society of Missouri!

I Wanna Work with a Bunch of Animals!
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, July 13
Ages 10-14
This session is full.

What do you want to be when you grow up? We'll help you decide! Meet a veterinarian, adoption counselor, trainer, humane officer and more! Find out how you can get paid to have fun working with animals while making their world a better place!

Animals to the Rescue!
10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, July 18
Ages 10-14

Meet a bonefide K-9 police team, the mounted police and a search and rescue dog! We will also pay tribute to War Dogs who have lost their lives in the line of duty. There are animal heroes everywhere who dedicate their lives to helping others. See for yourself what they can do and learn about how they developed their special gifts!

Kitchen Kreations for Kritters
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, July 20
Ages 6-9
This session is full.

Kitties love tuna surprise! Dogs will howl for hula hula cookies! Hamsters will clap for tasty tidbits made of veggies! Critters love after school snacks just like we do!! Yum! Join us as we bake and create delicious snacks for our critter friends!! Did you know that there are foods that we humans eat everyday that can make our animals friends really sick!? Join us as we make safe and healthy treats with all natural ingredients that even we two-legged creatures can eat!! Come with your sleeves rolled up, ready to get messy!

Two Paws Up or Two Paws Down? You Decide!
10 a.m. – noon on Tuesday, July 25
Ages 10-14

Move over Ebert and Roeper, here we come!! If you love watching animal movies, eating popcorn and sharing your opinion, this is your chance to shine!! Join us as we watch clips from popular animal-related movies and explore whether or not the movie’s message is animal-friendly. Movies will include Racing Stripes, Black Beauty, Madagascar, Lady and the Tramp, Spirit, Babe, Finding Nemo and more! This class is sure to be fun!

RX: Get a Pet and Heal!
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, July 27
Ages 6-9

Research shows that people who share their lives and homes with companion animals are healthier than those who don’t have animal companions in their lives! Join us as we learn about the healing powers of pets and meet some very special animals who bring joy and good health to those who need it in our community. You will meet pet therapy animals, a seeing-eye-dog and a visiting pet team from the Humane Society of Missouri!

So You Think You Want to be a Humane Officer?
10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, August 1
Ages 10-14

Have you ever met a true hero? This is your chance to meet some of the most amazing heroes in our community…Humane Officers from the Humane Society of Missouri! Humane officers are specially trained professionals who risk their lives to rescue animals from dangerous situations. These heroes have rescued tens of thousands of animals across the state of Missouri and spent more than 7 weeks rescuing animals in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and New Orleans in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. You will see videos and pictures of real animal rescues and hear heart-warming stories about the many animals whose lives were saved by these brave souls. You will also get to walk through our amazing, one-of-a-kind animal rescue trailer. You will leave this class inspired by the dedication and hard work of these amazing animal welfare professionals. Find out if you have what it takes to be a Humane Officer one day!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, August 3
Ages 6-9

Wild animals are all around us. They share our parks, neighborhoods, schoolyards, skies and even our own back yards! We’ve all found a baby bird who has fallen out of a nest or have seen an injured animal on the side of the highway and have felt hopeless because we didn’t know what to do. Come meet some fabulous people in our community who DO know what to do and who dedicate their lives to helping our wild animal friends like geese, wolves, bats and raccoons.

Tricks for Treats: Bring Your Dog to Class
10 a.m. - noon on Tuesday, August 8
Ages 10-14

Bring your dog to class and teach her to sit, stay, speak, shake, roll over and give high fives! Professional Humane Society Obedience Trainers will show you how to train your lovable pooch! Who knows?! Maybe you can train him/her to make your bed and do your homework! We’ll even play fun games like musical carpet squares and hide-n-go-seek! Your pet must be at least one year old and you must show proof of current vaccinations for the pet attending.

Paws to Learn First Aid
10 a.m. – noon on Thursday, August 10
Ages 10-14

Hey Kids...your best friend needs you! First aid for pets is important and can be life-saving! Find out what to do if your pet gets hurt or needs your help. Learn about emergency care and transportation of sick and injured animals, how to stop bleeding and how to administer CPR from a Humane Society of Missouri veterinarian and an expert from the American Red Cross. Tell your pet you love him by learning these life-saving techniques!