The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire offers a wide range of humane education programs for children, including our popular reading to shelter animals program, Scouts programs, in-classroom presentations, a monthly kids newsletter, and many other hands-on learning opportunities designed to inspire kindness and compassion for animals.

Tales for Tails Reading Program

Schedule a time for your child to come and read to a shelter pet!

The program is offered on Wednesdays, Fridays, and every Saturday for children of all ages and can be scheduled by clicking the link below.

Tales for Tails is a humane education program where children can practice reading skills in a fun environment! The reading program also offers opportunities to foster empathy and compassion in children while benefitting shelter pets by providing them with companionship and opportunities for socialization as they await adoption.

Tales for Tails

Guidelines for Readers

Youth of all ages are welcome to join. Readers must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Readers must have a waiver completed by their parent or guardian.
Readers will choose a cat or small animal to read to from the available animals. Readers should not physically interact with animals or enter colony rooms without approval from staff.
Bring your own book or pick out a book from our Humane Education Library.
The program is free, but donations are always welcome and appreciated!
The program is $5.00 per family session.

Questions? Email Humane Educator,

Carolyn, at csilva@rescueleague.org

Schedule Your Visit!

About the Library

Thank you to Eagle Scout, Cora Steichen for all her hard work creating the library! In August of 2021, Cora, a junior at Bedford High School, excitedly embarked upon the task of creating a Humane Education Library at the shelter as part of her Eagle Scout project.

The Humane Education Library consists of more than 200 books geared towards readers from Pre-K to 4th grade, with a focus on thoughtfully teaching kids about animals, humane animal care concepts, how to safely interact with animals, wellness, and more.

The project was inspired by Anne-Marie Pepe (2020 Volunteer of the Year, who dedicated her time to helping jumpstart and strengthen humane education initiatives at ARLNH in 2019), and was funded with the help of a Volunteer NH-Volunteer Generation Fund Grant as well as individual project supporters.

Humane Education Presentations

The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire offers humane education presentations and lessons to schools, libraries, and other organizations!

Lessons and presentations include topics such as responsible pet ownership, dog safety, and kindness for all living things, as well as the role of the shelter in the community. Activities and lessons aim to empower kids to make a difference for animals at home and in the community while developing social-emotional skills. We also offer corporate presentations for companies seeking to educate their employees on safe animal practices, including dog bite prevention.

For more information or to schedule a presentation, email our Humane Educator,

Carolyn, at csilva@rescueleague.org or call (603) 472-3647.

Program Details

Length: 1.5 hours
Cost: $10 per attendee

Program Includes:

Humane Education presentation
Guided shelter tour
Enrichment activity for the animals
Animal meet-and-greet time
A custom ARLNH patch for each child

Ready to schedule your visit? Have questions? Email Humane Educator, Carolyn, at csilva@rescueleague.org

Scouts Program

An interactive experience that brings animal welfare to life for scouts!

This unique experience gives scout groups the opportunity to learn about animal welfare and our mission, explore our shelter, meet some of our animal residents, and take part in a hands-on enrichment activity that directly benefits the animals in our care.

Discover the Animal Rescue League of NH Coloring & Activity Book. Unleash your inner artist and support animal welfare!

Each booklet includes:
12 coloring pages featuring ARLNH alumni and current shelter pets

4 bonus activity pages packed with extra animal-themed fun

Get the Coloring Book!

KID'S CORNER NEWSLETTER
March 2026

Click to download this month's edition of the Kid's Corner Newsletter!

March 2026 Kid's Corner Newsletter.pdf

Writing to Rescues

Does your child have a love for animals?

Need to practice some writing skills?

Look no further! All of our adoptable animals are also available as pen pals. Write a letter to a shelter pet, and your letter may even be featured on our social media with a photo of your new pen pal!

Mail your letter to:

Writing to Rescues - "Shelter Animal Name"

545 Route 101

Bedford, NH 03110

At-Home Activities

Keep the kindness for animals going at home!

Check out more fun, creative activities that help children learn about animal care, compassion, and making a difference for animals at home and in the community.