Teaching Kids About Rescuing Pets

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Video Game Teaches about Rescuing Animals
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Source: Zootoo.com, by Lee Gordon
Video Game Teaches about Rescuing Animals

The Humane Society of the United States has developed a video game which teaches children how to care for rescued animals. (Image Provided by HSUS)

Kayley is just a first grader, but with the help of a new video game, she’s learning how to provide veterinary care to rescued animals. Developed by the Humane Society of the United States, the virtual game gives millions of pet-owning children, globally, a chance to learn about pets in a new, virtual way.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Kayley Williams loves her dog Molly. Her parents Gene and Stacie Williams count on her to take care of the family pet. Through the years, Kayley has learned the value of raising a dog. But now, she’s taking it to a new, virtual, level.

“When I play with them, I get to throw them Frisbees,” said Kaylee of a new video game called Pet Pals: New Leash on Life.

To spread awareness about the importance of adoption and animal rescue, the Humane Society of the United States developed the game.

It teaches kids to work towards a better world for animals around the globe and allows kids like Kayley to learn how to take care of a virtual animal under the premise of “if you show the animal love, they’ll show it right back to you.”

“The game has given her more of an appreciation for the problems animals have and the struggles they have to go through,” said Kayley’s father.

The game also allows children to play the role of veterinarian — diagnosing, treating, caring for, and eventually adopting 15 different types of animals including cats, dogs, parrots, and chinchillas using more than 40 different kinds of medical tools.

“The goal of the game is to nurse back to health the animals that are admitted to the facility and place them in loving, forever homes,” said Jennifer Hobgood of the Humane Society of the United States.

The animals give feedback, in their own voices, on how they feel and what they need.

“Sometimes I give them shots and medicine,” said Kayley in response to the role she plays as the animals’ caretaker.

Kayley spends hours preparing her animal for adoption by training, grooming, petting and playing with them until they are ready to be fostered. Only when Kayley does a good job is she given more responsibilities with more difficult tasks to handle.

“It’s a neat thing, you get to treat them,” said Gene Williams. “You get to interact with them and play with them. Any kid who has a computer, it’s great for them.”

The Humane Society hopes that parents do their part to educate children on how to properly treat animals and with games like Pet Pals-A New Leash on Life, kids like Kayley learn at a young age just how precious her furry friends can be.

“It’s a great educational tool in teaching about animal rescue and the importance of adoption,” said Hobgood. “Children can learn about medical tools and they can learn about animal shelter organizations and the animals that find refuge in these facilities.

“And it increases their compassion for animals and may encourage children to become more active to volunteer for organizations in their local area.”

Kayley is just one of millions of kids around the world with a family pet. She’s always done her part to help Molly, and now, she has a better understanding of what it takes to care for her dog — all thanks to a video game that gives her dog a new leash on life.

For more information on the video game, visit HSUS.org

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