Kindness Club Inc.

Animal Ambassadors Presentation Program

The Animal Ambassadors Presentation Program is currently offered at no cost to schools and community youth programs. The value of this program is immeasurable; it not only teaches children about our Club, but more importantly the importance of respecting all living creatures both human and non-human. Fostering empathy at a young age allows children to become better leaders and more confident, caring individuals. Our program correlates with the NB school curriculum and works to incorporate humane education initiatives into daily classroom instruction. We teach children to care about animals and encourage some to pursue a career in the animal welfare sector. We also teach children important strategies for protecting themselves in a situation with a strange animal. Bite prevention strategies work to protect both the child and the animal. Our goal is to reduce the number of bite incidents in our province and to work towards creating a safer, animal friendly community. Without exposing children to the multiple topics available with the Animal Ambassadors Presentation Program, we risk losing a forum in which to spread these important educational messages amongst youth and young adults. Our program seeks to educate children, teachers and adults present at the presentation. This program has become so popular that youth groups and day cares call to secure their summer presentation date in early spring. The Kindness Club's education reputation in the community has grown exponentially over the past few years. This program opens other doors and venues, which help spread our important messages to others.

Annual Essay & Writing Contests

The Kindness Club's Essay & Writing Contests are currently offered to children in N.B. school districts (Grades 4-8 , French and English). Children are given two topics to research and discuss; one pertaining to animal welfare, and one involving an environmental issue. Winners are selected based on thought provoking ideas and how it relates to the values of the Kindness Club. Runners up to receive book prizes (usually 2-5 per class) in hopes of encouraging school and class participation the following year. This program is extremely important to the Club. It not only encourages children to research important topics (not always specifically discussed in the classroom curriculum), but also encourages children to write. Principals and teachers are delighted to have a program which helps encourage children to become more fluent and critical writers. Unlike the Presentation Program which seeks to teach children about valuable topics, our essay contest encourages children to take matters into their own hands and brainstorm their own solutions to common animal welfare and environmental concerns. Without this program, we risk losing a valuable teaching tool within the public school system. People still comment on writing essays for the Club 30 years later. Concerned children will remember their responses, and we hope that as they grow they will carry their solutions into the future, making more eco-friendly and animal loving leaders.

Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Kindness Club's SNAP program is one-of-a-kind, serving the Fredericton and surrounding areas. It is modeled after the local SPCA's "SNIP" program (Spay/Neuter Incentive Program) and was implemented in the fall of 2007 after much discussion with local area vet clinics and SPCA's.

The local "SNIP" programs assist low income families with the costs associated with spaying or neutering the family cat. The Kindness Club's SNAP program complements the shelters initiative by allowing qualifying families to receive assistance to spay or neuter the family dog. Implementing such a program is the first step in reducing 'back yard breeders' and thus reducing the pet-over population, shelter surrenders, strays and abandoned dogs.

Approximately 85% of the Kindness Club's inquiries and clients are referred by the local SPCA's. The remaining number comes from word-of-mouth and awareness from our own fundraising initiatives. To date, KCI has assisted with over 30 surgeries, all of which have been financed through our fundraising efforts. This is a very worthwhile program, evidenced by our successful fundraising efforts and the tremendous support received from local animal shelters. As a testament to the importance of the program, we have doubled our veterinary clinic participation since the program's inception.

Download application form. File size: 71 kb (will open in a new window)

Pet Food Feeding Program

A few years ago, Gordon Burtt suggested that the Kindness Club contact the Fredericton Community Kitchen regarding the possibility of supplying pet food for their clients. This was the first step in implementing our very successful Pet Food Feeding Program. After supplying the Community Kitchen's request on a number of occasions, KCI branched out and began supplying various N.B. Food Banks with pet food. Currently we regularly stock the Fredericton Food Bank, the Woodstock Food Bank, and the Oromocto Kibble Food Bank (jointly operated by the Oromocto Food Bank, the Oromocto SPCA and the NBSPCA).

During times where we have a great surplus of pet food, we have supplied other N.B. food banks. It is estimated that 90% of the pet food that KCI donates is donated to us from a couple of local area pet supply stores. We did purchase a large quantity of cat food in early 2010, however, the funds used for this purchase was donated to us by the Chickadee Cat Club and was specifically designated for the Pet Food Feeding Program.