1. Taking Care of Pets Grade 4
Joint Project by
Miami Dade County Public Schools , Science Department and Miami Dade County Animal Services
Department of Science

2. THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice Chair
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Susie V. Castillo
Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway
Dr. Martin Karp
Lubby Navarro
Dr. Marta Pérez
Raquel A. Regalado
Mr. Julian Lafaurie
Student Advisor
Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
Marie Izquierdo
Chief Academic Officer
Office of Academics and Transformation
Dr. Maria P. de Armas
Assistant Superintendent
Division of Academics

3. Taking Care of Pets

4. Being A Good Citizen What are good character behavior skills?
What character skills apply to caring for animals?

9. Basic Needs Who can name the basic needs of pets?
Name some animals that could be pets.

10. Pet Needs and Responsible Owners
Food
Water
Shelter
Potty Needs
Exercise
Grooming
Health Care
Love and Affection
Pet Safety
Family Vacations
Get Your Home Ready

11. Pets need care!
Whether you choose a dog, cat, gerbil, fish, turtle rabbit or any other pet, the same skills apply in caring for any animal.
Taking care of a pet is a daily responsibility.
Try taking care of a virtual pet to practice what it takes.

12. Pet Care Resources Department of Science Seasonal Pet Care resources:
Pet Care video Link:

13. Video Discussion
From the video, what are some of the responsibilities pet owners should know about before owning a pet?

14. Activity 1
Pet Activity
Pretend you have just adopted a pet (dog or cat) from the Adoption Program at Miami Dade Animal Services. You have been given a chart listing the basic needs for your pet. Using the Pet Care handout, fill in the chart with the information necessary to care for your pet.

15. Activity # 2
Liz wants a dog as a birthday present. Her mom told her if she gets it, she is completely responsible for the care of the dog. Liz gets home from school at 3:45pm. She has 1 hour of homework everyday. She also takes piano lessons for 45 minutes, three times a week and practices for 2 days a week. She likes to watch a show that is one hour long and loves to chat with her friends on line. Liz has dinner with her family at 7:00pm, helps her mom with the dishes, then showers, reads a book and gets ready for bed by 8:30pm.
Is Liz ready for this dog?

16. Activity # 3
Answer the True or False questions from the Pets Need handout.

17. Where can you get a pet from?
Local pet store
Breeder
Humane Society
Miami Dade Animal Control Adoption Program

18. Pet Adoption – Miami Dade Animal Services
Consider adoption whenever possible.
You will save a life!
It is cheaper than purchasing from a breeder or local pet store.
Animals need you to give them your love and care!

19. Review – Are you ready for a PET?
Being a responsible pet owner involves providing for all of your pet’s needs: Food, water, shelter, cleaning after it, providing it with exercise, grooming and bathing it, taking it to the vet for check ups and vaccines, making sure your house is safe for your pet, playing with it and giving it love and affection.
Some pets have more needs than others, but any pet is a daily responsibility.
Getting a pet should be a family decision.
Consider adopting a dog or cat if you decide to add a pet to your family.
Be a good citizen and be a responsible pet owner by providing for all the needs of your pet!
Are you ready for a pet?

20. Be A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER!

21. Anti-Discrimination Policy
Federal and State Laws
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational programs/activities and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40.
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 as amended - prohibits gender discrimination in payment of wages to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of prohibits discrimination against the disabled.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public service, public accommodations and telecommunications.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and medical reasons.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Florida Educational Equity Act (FEEA) - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap against a student or employee.
Florida Civil Rights Act of secures for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.
Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) - prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants because of genetic information.
Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2002 – no public school shall deny equal access to, or a fair opportunity for groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities before or after school hours, or discriminate against any group officially affiliated with Boy Scouts of America or any other youth or community group listed in Title 36 (as a patriotic society).
Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L (Federal Law) and Section (Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment.
In Addition:
School Board Policies 1362, 3362, 4362, and Prohibit harassment and/or discrimination against students, employees, or applicants on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, and any other legally prohibited basis. Retaliation for engaging in a protected activity is also prohibited.
Revised: (07.14)