Bring your animal-loving preschooler to the SPCA Serving Erie County for an enriching and fun experience! Taught by the SPCA’s humane educators, programs are designed to engage your little one in captivating stories, delightful songs, and hands-on art projects, all with visits from our animal friends. Children will be immersed in age-appropriate activities like sensory and imaginative play, as well as peer socialization, all through the lens of animal rescue.

We offer two different programs to fit your family’s needs!

Caregiver and Child Class
Perfect for a low-key, fun time at the shelter, this program requires a parent or authorized adult to participate alongside their child.
– Who: Children ages 2-4 and a caregiver
– When: The second Tuesday of every month, from October to May
– Time: 60-minute program
– Cost: $20 per session
Note: Children must be at least two years old by the first class date. Only registered children may attend.

Drop-Off Class
This program is for our more independent animal enthusiasts. Children will participate in a variety of fun activities while learning new skills.
– Who: Children ages 3-5
– When: The third Wednesday of every month, from October to May
– Time: 2.5-hour program
– Cost: $35 per session
Note: Children must be potty-trained. Only registered children may attend

Fall at the Farm (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon
It is fall at our farm, and the animals are excited for the cool weather! Celebrate the turn of the season by learning all about farm life. Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Slumber Paw-ty (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Winter is coming, so it’s time to get cozy and warm. Did you know that some animals hibernate during the cold months? Hibernation, brumation, what does that mean? Find out all the wonderful ways animals get ready for winter! Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Habitat High Jinks (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to noon
Nests, webs, dens and bogs! Animals can be found in so many places! Come learn all about the cool places our animal friends call home. Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Winter Wonders (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, December 17, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Winter comes with so many wonders. How do animals stay warm in winter? Where do they find food when the ground is covered with snow? Learn all the answers to your winter questions. Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Nature’s Creations (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon
Nature is full of beautiful creations made by animals like beehives and dams! But, why do animals make them? Let’s take a look at all the cool art animals make! Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Fairytales Fauna (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dive into the world of fairytales. Often our furry friends are the main characters of these stories. Come read some tales about our magical friends and create some magic of our own. Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Dinosaurs’ Favorite Cousins (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to noon
Did you know the closest living relative to a Tyrannosaurus rex is a chicken? Birds, chickens, and reptiles are all relatives of dinosaurs! Want to learn more about these awesome cousins? Come spend some time with our modern-day dinosaurs.  Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Hues, Shades, Tints, and Tinges (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We live in a remarkably vibrant world. Even our animal friends come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Why is the color of an animal important? What is camouflage? Create colorful creatures while learning about the importance of color. Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Beautiful Bugs (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to noon
Minibeasts. Creepy crawlies. Bugs. Invertebrates. We have many different names for insects, and it’s just as well, because they can be found in almost every habitat on planet Earth! Explore the exciting world of bugs!  Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Creatures of the Night (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
When the sun goes down and the stars come out, creatures awake to run and play. From owls to foxes, many animals prefer to spend their time awake under the stars. Celebrate the night and learn all about our nocturnal friends. Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Beauty and the Bees (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to noon
Ever wonder what you can do to help your local wildlife? Flowers are more than just beautiful additions to our gardens — they help our animal friends survive and thrive! Create seed bombs to add color to your garden and discover the impact of pollinator gardens! Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

The Secret Languages of Animals (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Senses are a powerful thing that tell us all about the world. How do animals use their senses to understand the world? Let’s explore the world from the viewpoint of a dog, a cat, or even a hamster! This program will include a sensory experience that allows children to view the world in a new way.  Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.

Munchkins and Moms (Caregiver and Child Class) | Tuesday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to noon
Did you know baby opossums ride on their mothers’ backs for three whole months? Ever wonder how animal moms take care of their young? Learn all about how different moms take care of their babies. Capacity: Maximum of 8 children and caregiver groups. We can make exceptions for one caregiver and two children.

Crafted with Love (Drop-Off Class) | Wednesday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Let’s celebrate our moms and all the wonderful things they do for us! We’ll make some lovely mom-themed crafts to thank our awesome moms for being, well, awesome! Capacity: Maximum of 12 kids. Children must be potty-trained.