San Pedro Pet Outreach Trains Volunteers for School Animal Awareness Program

On Wednesday, September 16th, San Pedro Pet Outreach held a teacher training session at Castaway Resort to prepare volunteer instructors for a new animal welfare and environmental education program in local elementary schools. The event brought together more than 20 volunteer teachers who will deliver an eight-month curriculum to approximately 200 students at New Horizons, Holy Cross, and Isla Bonita schools.
The training aimed to familiarize teachers with the curriculum, their roles, and the program’s logistics before classes begin on October 3rd. Each month through May 2027, volunteers will lead one class at each school, using scripts, handouts, and hand puppets representing domestic pets and local wildlife.
The sessions will cover responsible pet care, spay and neuter awareness, wildlife stewardship, beach cleanups, and safety practices, including avoiding unfamiliar stray animals and not harming wildlife. Organizers said the training helped coordinate volunteer efforts, review materials prepared with assistance from SAGA Humane Society and ACES Wildlife Rescue, and ensure consistent messaging across classrooms.
San Pedro Pet Outreach was founded in September 2025 after its founders recognized that existing animal welfare organizations, particularly SAGA Humane Society, were stretched thin. The group was established to provide additional volunteers for community education and support the work of SAGA and ACES.
Since its inception, the group has been self-funded and is currently applying for official nongovernmental organization (NGO) status. Co-founder Glen Sharer-Cloatre developed the school curriculum, with input from SAGA, ACES, and other local partners.
“Education is the most important thing when it comes to animal awareness,” said co-founder Leslie Ursel. She emphasized the importance of teaching children compassion and empathy from an early age, including understanding that animals feel pain and fear.
Ursel added that the group aims to promote spay and neuter programs and address barriers, such as transportation, that prevent families from accessing veterinary services.
Organizers hope educating young students will create a ripple effect throughout the community. “If even five students go home and tell their parents, maybe their parents will do the same thing,” said Sharer-Cloatre.
The initiative also seeks to address animal overpopulation, disease, and harmful practices toward wildlife on the island. With monthly classes scheduled through May 2027, San Pedro Pet Outreach hopes to graduate its first group of “Safety Rangers” and lay the groundwork for expanded outreach, supported by NGO approval and continued community involvement.