Attention young reporters:

Do you have a story to tell about an animal? You can send your story and pictures to erpower@tds.net and maybe you and your animal friend will be on our site!

Volenteer Opportunities

Youths age 14 and up can become junior volunteers at the Humane Society of Camden County. Click Here to find out how to contact us about volunteering and to obtain an application.

You can also help by collecting and donating supplies .  See below for more ideas. 

Have Some Fun

KIND News is a magazine for K-6 students, and has lots of fun activities, contests, and information available online. You can also get free stickers!

Maintained by Humane Society Youth. 

                                Teen Topics

Humane Society Youth's website for middle- and high-school students features an online Humane High School, and contains lots of information for students looking to learn more or get involved. You can also find out how to save animals every time you instant message, and learn about careers working with animals. Plus, free stickers!

National Geographic's Kids page includes games, videos, stories, activities, and more.  Click here to enter their web-site

  Feel like coloring?

Print the drawing by clicking here link or http://usera.imagecave.com/eaterofstaples/cat-contestcopy.jpg and color it

Here is what the drawing looks like:

Ten Things You Ought To Know about……

                  Bringing Home a Kitten: Part One

by: Elaine R Powierski

Having a cat as a pet has increased in popularity through the years for many reasons.  It is now kitten season and we are hoping to find homes for the many kittens being received.  If you have decided that a cat is right for you and you want to bring home a kitten, this is a good time.  Proper care and handling is important to having a well-adjusted cat.  This is the first article addressing kitten care.  Others will follow.

• Most kittens are playful, inquisitive and very active.  When first brought to your house, they may miss their mother and littermates.  How your kitten is treated can have a life long impact on its personality.

• Prepare your house in advance and purchase the supplies you will need.  Minimally you should have a litter box, cat toys, water and food dishes, scratching posts, a bed, litter and kitten food, a brush and a cat carrier.  Purchase a carrier that will be good even when your kitten is an adult as you will need it to take your cat to the vet.

• Make sure you take the carrier with you when picking up the kitten.  If you line it with a towel, it will be more comfortable and less frightening as your kitten will not slip as easily as you move the carrier.

• When deciding which kitten is right for you, watch the kittens interact for a while.  They will already be showing some signs of their personality.  If they are a little shy, they may do better in a quiet household without small children.  If very active and playful, they will need more attention and play time.  Do not rush the decision as hopefully you are making a life long commitment to your new pet.

• Confine your kitten to a limited area of the house initially unless supervised. Besides a litter box, provide food, water, and a safe environment.  Kittens should not be allowed to explore without being closely watched.

• Your kitten may be frightened when first removed from the carrier and look for a place to hide.  Plan on spending a little time with your new kitten in the area you have selected.  Gently coax your kitten from the hiding spot and introduce her to the room and the location of her food, water, and litter box. 

• Your kitten may have already been litter trained by its mother.  Make sure your kitten knows where the litter box is located.  Your job is to keep it clean.  Clean it out at least once a day and change the litter and clean the pan thoroughly at least once a week.  Think about where you are going to permanently place the litter box as you do not want to make too many changes once your cat has gotten used to its location.

• If your kitten has an accident outside of the box and does not seem to be fully litter trained, it is not difficult to correct.  Never physically punish your kitten.  If you find your kitten has not used the box, clean the area well and pay close attention.  Make sure your kitten can get into the box you provided.  If you catch your kitten in the act, make a sudden noise to get its attention and then gently place it in the box to finish.  After eating, playing or sleeping, take your kitten to the box so it can use it.  Your kitten will catch on very rapidly.

• During this initial period in the house, it is very important to prevent situations that may cause your kitten to be frightened.  If a kitten is severely frightened, it may take it a long period of time to recover.  Your goal is to have a well-adjusted cat for the rest of its life.  Be patient and gentle.  Try to prevent loud noises and activity that could frighten the kitten especially during the first week..

• Young children and your kitten should be closely monitored during these initial periods of time together.  They are both learning how to interact with each other.  If there is more than one young child, have them take turns with the kitten making sure your new pet does not become overwhelmed.