Community Outreach

THE APS AND THE DURHAM COMMUNITY

As noted in the mission statement, the APS places a high priority in educating the public in “the humane care and treatment of animals.” This requires a comprehensive effort to reach all segments of the Durham community with a wide variety of information.

DOG TRAINING CLASSES FOR ADOPTERS AND THE PUBLIC:

Learn to train your dog! No advance registration is required, this is a drop in class for absolute beginners.
This class is for humans only so please leave your dog at home.
We will be working with shelter dogs to learn games and exercises that you can take home to work on with your own dog.
All participants will get a chance to practice the skills taught during class with the shelter dogs.
The cost for the class is $10 (free for APS adopters and volunteers!) and all money collected goes to the Animal Protection Society of Durham.   Click here for more information!

APS PUBLIC RELATIONS :

Staff and volunteers work to meet the growing need for a consistent and informative plan to reach stakeholders in Durham in order to further the APS mission.

Some of the achievements of the PR group include the popular APS of Durham Facebook page, the volunteer produced television program, The Paw Report, a complete overhaul of the website and all new informational brochures.

The PR volunteers continually work to focus the marketing of the APS mission using current technology and outreach methods with the challenge of limited resources.

OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY:

While the staff of the APS serve the community one member at a time as people visit the shelter for all kinds of reasons and needs, we also reach out by going into the community.

Whether it is by attending neighborhood or cultural events, or assisting at initiatives like Project Homeless Connect, the APS wants to be there for the animals of Durham and those that care for them.

The APS has held microchip and rabies clinics.

A grant to AnimalKind’s $20 Fix program from the APS subsidizes targeted spay/neuter.  The APS also has its own voucher program with the cooperation of the Affordable Animal Care Spay/Neuter Clinic.

All shelter forms and information have been translated into Spanish.

The APS, with assistance from the Salvation Army, has also initiated a Pet Food Assistance Program for low-income pet owners in Durham.

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Volunteers who serve on this committee are dedicated to promoting through community education the welfare and respect of animals in Durham County and its environs.

Specific areas include: responsible pet care and safety, and solutions to pet overpopulation.

One of the primary means of public education is through presentations by Education Committee members at civic groups, churches, clubs, schools and other organizations in the community.

The members also staff the APS information booth at festivals and community events. They provide literature on a wide range of topics and this information is also available at the shelter and on the website at www.apsofdurham.org.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN:

Because the APS believes that children are the responsible pet owners of the future and often are family partners in the care of pets and decisions on adoptions, there are education programs exclusively for children.

Schools and other youth groups are able to schedule a speaker by contacting the APS at education@apsofdurham.org

Upon request, a child-friendly dog may accompany the speaker. Multiple programs, or assembly-size presentations, are available if appropriate. It is recommended that programs be scheduled 3 to 4 weeks in advance. (All programs are free, but the APS thankfully accepts donations of cash, animal food and other materials on behalf of homeless animals.)

APS KIDS ACTION TEAM:

The volunteer led APS Kids’ Club was started to encourage children to learn about animals and to foster an understanding of service to the animals in our community. Parents are encouraged to “join your child in making it a kinder world.”

The club, which is now called the Kids Action Team (KAT) meets monthly to learn about animals and the important role they play in our world. There are special guests, both human and animal, so that APS Kids understand the respect for animals through a variety of animal-related topics. APS Kids have the opportunity to recommend, select and work on humane projects geared to their abilities. Through projects designed to help the shelter, they learn about volunteerism and service. APS Kids have a tour of the shelter and meet some of the animals.

Children, ages 9 to 12 when accompanied by their parents or legal guardians, may join and class sizes are limited. There is no fee to join.  Click here for more information.

REQUEST A SPEAKER OR SHELTER TOUR

To schedule a speaker for your club or organization from the APS of Durham, please call 919-560-0640 ext 221 or e-mail us at community@apsofdurham.org.

Please try to schedule programs at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Unless otherwise noted, programs usually last 30-60 minutes.

All programs are FREE but we happily accept donations of cash, food, bedding, or other materials on behalf of the homeless animals at our shelter.

We are also able to arrange a tour of the shelter for your group.

DURHAM DOG PARK INFORMATION

Please click here to learn about the wonderful resources Durham Parks and Rec offer to the community and to learn about the off leash dog parks in our city.

PET FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The APS has initiated a Pet Food Assistance Program for low-income pet owners. The APS is supplying cat and dog food to the Salvation Army at 909 Liberty St. for families in need of cat or dog food. The Salvation Army will give out the food based on their eligibility requirements and available supplies. They can be reached at 688-7306.