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MEDIA ALERT

CONTACT: Alison Elsner, aelsner@desertymca.org
760-320-6430-work, 760-413-5053-cell
Sandra Viden-Martins, sviden@animalsamaritans.org
760-343-3216

"CRITTER CAMP" TEACHES KIDS ABOUT ANIMALS Local Organizations Collaborate to Provide Animal Encounters This Week

Thousand Palms, CA - (April 9, 2007) - The Family YMCA of the Desert in Palm Springs has partnered with Animal Samaritans SPCA, Inc. to offer a "Critter Camp" as part of the YMCA's spring break camp curriculum. Kids, ages five to eight, who have enrolled have an opportunity this week to learn about different kinds of animals and how to care for pets, visit with live animals, participate in a field trip, play animal themed games, and create animal art. Critter Camp is led by humane educators from Animal Samaritans in conjunction with YMCA staff. Several local animal organizations and private individuals are participating to provide a variety of Animal Encounters! Sessions will take place on the following dates: Monday, April 9 through Friday, April 13. Camp hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day. With the exception of the field trip, activities are held at the YMCA, 3601 E. Mesquite Av. / Palm Springs, CA 92264, next to Demuth Park off El Cielo.

Animal Encounters include:

  • Tuesday, April 10: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., Field trip to the Biggi Bird Gardens, 73179 Joshua Tree, Palm Desert
  • Wednesday, April 11: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Animal Samaritans' education pets and representatives from 2 FAST 4 PAWS Flyball Racing Team with dogs; 10 a.m.10:45 a.m., representatives from the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center with a falcon and a barn owl; 11 to 11:45 a.m., K-9 Cops.
  • Thursday, April 12: 8:30 - 9 a.m., Julian Summers with an albino python; 9 - 9:30 a.m., Animal Samaritans teaches dog bite prevention; 10 - 10:45 a.m., The Living Desert with desert wildlife; 11 - 11:30 a.m., Animal Samaritans' animal assisted therapy program with Sherri Halstead and dog.
  • Friday, April 13: 10 - 10:30 a.m. Animal Samaritans' animal assisted therapy program with Robin Frost and dog; 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Animal Samaritans' education pets.

ANIMAL SAMARITANS SPCA:

Animal Samaritans SPCA's humane education program teaches children the skills and knowledge necessary to properly care for animals and helps instill a lifelong sense of compassion and respect for all living things. The program is designed to prepare and empower the next generation with compassion and knowledge to provide for the animals that will be left in their care. The humane education program is available to local schools and organizations. For information, please call Jennifer Nathan, director of education, at 760-343-4326 or email jnathan@animalsamaritans.org

Animal Samaritans SPCA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit animal welfare organization committed to eliminating the euthanasia of adoptable animals. Programs and services in place to save the lives of healthy and treatable animals include prevention through humane education; low cost and no-cost spay and neuter; low-cost vaccinations; microchipping; shelter and care; and adoptions to lifelong homes. We also offer free services that enhance the bond between people and animals, such as a volunteer-based animal assisted therapy program for hospitals, health care, special needs facilities, and Juvenile Hall. Animal Samaritans SPCA, founded in 1978, is the Coachella Valley's lead animal welfare organization. For more information, please call Sandra Viden-Martins at 760-343-3477 ext. 303, send an email to , or visit www.animalsamaritans.org.

FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT:

The Family YMCA of the Desert was established in the Coachella Valley in 1982 and is the largest provider of licensed childcare in the valley, with facilities ranging from Palm Springs to Thermal. Nearly 1000 kids and families each day are served at fifteen childcare and activity sites, with many opportunities in youth and family programming, including the Palm Springs YMCA to serve kids in the west valley. The primary focus of the Family YMCA of the Desert is to reinforce the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility throughout all of its programs, while allowing kids to develop social skills, confidence, leadership, and fitness. More than one third of the children being cared for at the YMCA of the Desert receive financial assistance, making community support a vital element in the ability to offer help to kids and their families. No child or family will be denied services because of an inability to pay. The Family YMCA of the Desert is one of 2400 YMCA'S nationwide, all of whom work towards building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. For more information please visit: http://www.desertymca.org. The Family YMCA of the Desert has two primary locations: Palm Desert / Administrative Offices: 43-930 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert and Palm Springs: 3601 E. Mesquite Ave., Palm Springs. For more information regarding YMCA camps or other programs, please contact Alison Elsner at 760-320-6430-work, 760-413-5053-cell, or aelsner@desertymca.org.