Lesson Plan - Saving Shelter Pets

Watch the Video
Play the video “Paw-some Pets.” Then discuss: According to the video, what kinds of evidence have helped experts figure out how long humans have kept animals as pets?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• restrict
• confined

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how laws like the one in New York can help animals in shelters.

1. What does the author mean when she writes that some breeders treat animals cruelly?
The author means that some breeders operate puppy or kitten mills. She writes, “In mills, mother animals are confined to tiny, dirty cages. Animals born in mills might not be given proper medical care.”
^{(RI.4.1 Inference)}

2. According to the article, what are some reasons animals end up in shelters?
The article explains that animals often end up in shelters because they were born on the streets, got lost, or were abandoned or given up by their owners.
^{(RI.4.5 Cause and Effect)}

3. Based on the sidebar, “Roman to the Rescue,” what are two ways that Project Freedom Ride helps shelter dogs get adopted?
According to the sidebar, “Roman to the Rescue,” Project Freedom Ride helps shelter dogs get adopted by moving dogs from overcrowded shelters to less crowded shelters and by helping people find the right shelter dog for them.
^{(RI.4.2 Key Details)}

FEATURED SKILL: Problem and Solution
Distribute the skill builder “What’s the Problem?” and have students work in pairs to analyze the two problems and two solutions described in the article and sidebar.
^{(RI.4.5 Problem and Solution)}