Critter College > CareFRESH® Critter College

CareFRESH® Critter College

CareFRESH® Critter College

A Fun, Free Lesson Plan that Teaches Kids Responsible Pet Ownership and Helps Meet National and State Standards

CareFRESH Critter College teaches students in grades 4-7 how to care for small pets, such as rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice and guinea pigs. It will help them become responsible pet owners and help their pets live long, healthy lives.

The program is free and meets national and state standards for science, math and language arts.

Order Two Ways (Links at bottom of this page)

  • The CareFRESH Critter College lesson in a box comes complete with everything you need, including 30 copies of student materials. All you need to do is open the box and start the lessons! Note: To order, you must be an approved elementary school teacher in grades 4-7.
  • Download select PDF files of the Critter College materials immediately.

Critter College > Thanks for Ordering

Thanks for Ordering

In the meantime, here are some great suggestions from PETCO for learning more about small pets and adding them to your classroom.

PETCO Field Trips

PETCO offers FREE field trips for schools grades K-8. The Fur, Feathers & Fins program allows children to learn about the characteristics and habitats of small animals as well as fish, reptiles and birds.

At your local PETCO, lessons in science, math and geography come to life through this hands-on field trip. As students develop a respect for animals, they will also develop a greater sense of responsibility.

After completing the CareFRESH Critter College curriculum, a Fur, Feathers & Fins field trip would be a great way to introduce your class to lots of new pets. For more information and to schedule a field trip, call 800-987-6409 or click here.

Pets in the Classroom — Grants for Teachers

Now you can get help with the cost of pet care in your classroom!

Pets in the Classroom, sponsored by The Pet Care Trust, supports responsible pet care for public school classrooms. The program provides direct, no-hassle, renewable grants of up to $150 to teachers. You can obtain a grant or coupon for the purchase of new pets, pet environments or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets.

Click here for more information.

Pets and Supplies from PETCO

If you are looking for a classroom pet, there’s no better resource than Petco. Once you complete Critter College, talk with your students to

  • Determine which pets would be best for your classroom
  • Make a list of supplies (cage, food, bedding, toys, etc.) you will need for your pet. Visit petco.com for store locations, product information and animal care sheets.

Bring this information to your field trip at PETCO, where you can talk to an expert who can answer your questions and help your class become successful pet caretakers.

Critter College > CareFRESH Critter College: Use the program to increase your sales!

CareFRESH Critter College: Use the program to increase your sales!

Quick Links:

CareFRESH Critter College was created not only to help students become more responsible pet owners, but also to benefit retailers!

  • Increase your visibility in your community
  • Strengthen your relationships with key influencers — teachers and school officials
  • Boost your sales — According to APMA, small pet owners spend an average of $295 per year, per household on pets. Introducing young students to small pets can generate great new recurring sales.

If you want to order the program for a local school, click here.

We can also help you let your community schools know about CareFRESH Critter College and make it work for your store. Here's a step-by-step plan:

  • Download the press release, modify it for your store and send it to your local media to spread the news about CareFRESH Critter College. The education editor is a good contact for larger newspapers, while the managing editor is normally the best contact for small papers. For local radio stations, send it to the news or public service director. Better yet, send the release to people you know in the media and ask for their help in getting it into the right hands.
  • Contact your local schools (grades 4-7) to tell them about CareFRESH Critter College. If you know teachers at the school, that’s a good way to get your foot in the door. Otherwise, the principal is probably the best place to start. Download the flier to help explain the program, and direct them to carefresh.com/critter-college to learn more. Make sure to emphasize that the program is free and designed to meet education standards.
  • Offer to help present the lessons or at least to loan small pets to the school for the program if there aren’t pets in the classrooms already.
  • Remind teachers that they can receive grants and coupons for the purchase of pets, habitats, food and supplies through petsintheclassroom.org.
  • If the school agrees to offer CareFRESH Critter College, order the Lesson in a Box online to have it sent to the school.
  • Two to three weeks after placing the order, follow up with the school to make sure the Lesson in a Box was received and answer any questions. Emphasize that your store will honor the vouchers for teachers and coupons for parents included in the Lesson in a Box.
  • Offer your store as a field trip destination after teachers complete the CareFRESH Critter College curriculum. Teachers can use the experience as a learning opportunity, while students can learn more about small pets at your store and perhaps even choose a pet, habitat and supplies for their classroom or home.

That’s all there is to it. CareFRESH Critter College is an easy and effective way to reach teachers, students and parents to promote responsible pet care — and your store! If you have any questions, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 1.800.242.2287.

Critter College > Order CareFRESH Critter College

Order CareFRESH Critter College

I am a Teacher  I am a Pet Product Retailer

Critter College > Official Rules

Official Rules

CAREFRESH® CRITTER COLLEGE™ "I NEED A NAME DUDE" CONTEST

OFFICIAL RULES

Important:  Please read these Official Rules with at least one of your parents or legal guardians before entering this contest (the "Promotion").  By participating in the Promotion, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements below.

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS PROMOTION.

1. Eligibility.  MANY WILL ENTER, FEW WILL WIN.  PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING.  Promotion open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are between the ages of five (5) and fifteen (15) by May 24, 2010.  IF YOU DO NOT MEET ANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, OR ANY OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE, AND ABSORPTION CORPORATION ("SPONSOR") RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO AWARD PRIZES TO YOU.  If you are selected as a potential finalist in the Promotion (see Section 8 below), one of your parents or legal guardians must submit a signed, written statement that they have read, understood and agree to these Official Rules, and that such agreement constitutes acceptance of these Official Rules on behalf of you and themselves.  To be eligible to win a prize, entries must be completed and received by Sponsor in the format designated below.  Directors, officers and employees of Sponsor and any of their respective parent companies, affiliate companies, subsidiaries, agents, professional advisors, advertising and promotional agencies, and immediate families of each are not eligible to vote for Finalist Submissions or win any prizes.  All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  Promotion void where prohibited.  Limit one (1) entry per person.   

2. Disclaimer.  Sponsor, all participating sponsors and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees and agencies (collectively, the "Released Parties") will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer- or communications-related malfunctions or failures; (c) any Promotion disruptions, injuries, losses or damages caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor or by non-authorized human intervention; or (d) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Promotion.

3. Promotion Period.  The Promotion starts at 12:01 A.M. (all times Pacific Time) on May 24, 2010 and ends at 11:59 P.M. on June 01, 2011 (the "Promotion Period").  All entries must be received during the Promotion Period to be eligible to win a prize.

4. How to Enter.   To enter, visit http://www.carefresh.com/critter-college and follow the directions to participate in the Promotion during the Promotion Period, including by:

  • Completing a short quiz about pet care (hints and answers will be provided); and
  • Submitting your entry form containing (a) your first name and the initial for your last name, (b) your parent or legal guardian's e-mail address, and (c) your suggested, creative name for the CAREFRESH punk-haired, smiling guinea pig. 

Your suggested, creative name for the CAREFRESH guinea pig is your "Submission."  You must not include any of your personal information (such as your own name) in your Submission.  All requested information must be provided for your entry to be valid.  Entries will not be returned.

5. Prizes.   

Grand Prize: One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 college scholarship annuity to be used with a college or university of winner's choice and a Nintendo Wii game console (approximate retail value of console $300).  (The scholarship annuity will reach $20,000 by August 31, 2021.)

Second Place: Four (4) second place prize winners will each receive a Nintendo Wii game console (approximate retail value $300 each).

(Total approximate retail value of all prizes offered in the Promotion: $21,500.)

6. Odds; Taxes; Etc.  Odds of winning a prize depend on number and quality of eligible entries received. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.  All prizes will be awarded.  Prizes returned as undeliverable or otherwise not claimed within fifteen (15) days after delivery of notification will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner.  Prizes are not transferable.  No substitutions or exchanges (including for cash) of any prizes will be permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any prize.  Prizes will be awarded to a parent or legal guardian on each winner's behalf.  Limit one (1) prize per household or address.  All prizes are awarded "AS IS" and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose).

7. Identity of Entrant.  In the event of a dispute about the identity of the entrant, entries made online will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry.  An authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.  The potential winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the winning entry.

8. Promotion Rules.   Submissions will be judged as follows:

First Round Voting Period.  Beginning on or about July 5, 2011 and ending July 15, 2011, a panel of qualified Sponsor employee judges will evaluate eligible Submissions based on the Judging Criteria (defined below) to determine the top five (5) Submissions (each a "Finalist Submission").  Sponsor judges will determine, in their sole discretion, the Finalist Submissions.  Finalist Submissions are subject to verification by Sponsor as explained in the following paragraph.   

Each potential finalist's parent or legal guardian will be notified by e-mail by July 19, 2011 using the parent/legal guardian e-mail address provided by the entrant in his/her entry form.  To qualify for the finalist round, the potential finalist's parent or legal guardian must follow the instructions contained in his/her notification to verify entrant's eligibility and confirm acceptance of these Official Rules, including, for example, by executing and returning any materials referenced below in Sections 13 and 14.  Eligible Finalist Submissions submitted by verified finalists will be judged in the finalist round.  If, however, a potential finalist's parent or legal guardian does not properly complete the verification requirements in Sponsor's notification (in Sponsor's sole discretion), a panel of qualified Sponsor employee judges will choose an alternative Finalist Submission and repeat the verification process.

Finalist Round Voting Period.  Beginning on or about August 30, 2011 and ending at 11:59 P.M. on December 31, 2011, parents and legal guardians of entrants may evaluate and vote for eligible Finalist Submissions based on the Judging Criteria (defined below).  Each such parent and legal guardian voter must be a resident of the fifty (50) United States or District of Columbia and at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in his/her state of residence).  Limit one (1) vote per household or address.  The Finalist Submission that receives the most votes will win the grand prize.

Submissions will be judged on the following "Judging Criteria":

  • The most apt, creative, original and interesting Submission;
  • Connection to the CAREFRESH brand themes of fun and safety; and
  • The most memorable Submission. 

In the unlikely event of a tie, the Finalist and/or grand prize winning Submission(s) will be determined by a panel of qualified Sponsor employee judges pursuant to the highest score in the following category: connection to the CAREFRESH brand themes of fun and safety.  If the same name is entered as a Submission by multiple entrants, only the first such Submission will be considered for voting purposes.  Each winner's parent or legal guardian will be notified by e-mail by January 6, 2013 using the parent/legal guardian e-mail address provided by the parent/legal guardian in his/her finalist/winner affidavit (see Section 14 below).

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any entries and/or Submissions that are inappropriate for any reason, including, without limitation, for depicting, mentioning, or referencing sex, violence, or drugs/alcohol, or for using inappropriate language.

9. Sponsor Rights to Submissions.   You hereby grant to Sponsor a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, nonexclusive license to publish, reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt, edit, modify, translate, create derivative works based upon, and otherwise use and sublicense the Submission, or any portion thereof, for any purpose (commercial or non-commercial) in any manner or medium now existing or later developed.  Sponsor will have no obligation to publish or use or retain your Submission or to return any entry materials to you.  If your Submission is selected as the grand prize winner in the Promotion, then as a condition of being awarded the grand prize in the Promotion, you hereby agree that you will assign all right, title, and interest in and to the Submission, including, without limitation, all copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights associated therewith, to Sponsor.  You, and your parents or legal guardians on behalf of you and such parents/legal guardians, also agree, as a condition to being awarded any prize in the Promotion, to take, at Sponsor's expense, any further action (including, without limitation, execution of assignments, transfers, affidavits and other documents) reasonably requested by Sponsor to effect, perfect, or confirm Sponsor's rights in and to your Submission or other rights granted in this Agreement.

10. Original Work of Authorship.  You hereby represent and warrant that (a) you own all rights in and to the Submission submitted by you (including, without limitation, all copyright and other intellectual property rights); and (b) your Submission does not violate, misappropriate or infringe any copyright, trademark or other proprietary right of any other person or entity. 

11. General Release.  By entering the Promotion, you and your parents or legal guardians release Sponsor and all Released Parties from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Promotion or delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of or inability to use any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

YOUR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS  FURTHER AGREE TO INDEMNIFY EACH OF THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH WHICH MAY BE SUFFERED BY YOU.

12. Selection of Prize. Actual model, color, accessories and features of the Nintendo Wii game consoles awarded shall be selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion and may vary from photos used in print, Sponsor in-store advertising, CD ROM demo disks, and in electronic and web banner advertising including the Sponsor web site.

13. Use of Winner's Name, Likeness, etc.  As a condition of being awarded any prize, except where prohibited by law, each finalist/winner and his/her parent or legal guardian may be required to execute a consent to the use of such finalist/winner's name, hometown, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation.

14. Affidavit & Release.  As a condition of being awarded any prize, each finalist/winner and such finalist/winner's parent or legal guardian will be required to execute and deliver to Sponsor a signed affidavit of eligibility and acceptance of these Official Rules and release of liability, and any other legal, regulatory, or tax-related documents required by Sponsor in its sole discretion.

15. Winner List; Rules Request.  For a copy of the winner list, visit  www.carefresh.com/critter-college or send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope after January 6, 2012 and before January 6, 2013 to Sponsor at the address listed below, Attn: Critter College "I Need a Name Dude" Contest Winner List. To obtain a copy of these Official Rules, visit  www.carefresh.com/critter-college or send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to Sponsor at the address listed below, Attn: Critter College "I Need a Name Dude" Contest Rules Request.  Residents of WA and VT may omit return postage. 

16. Intellectual Property Notice.  ABSORPTION, CAREFRESH, the CAREFRESH Logo, and CRITTER COLLEGE are trademarks of Absorption Corporation.  The Promotion and all accompanying materials are copyright © 2010 by Absorption Corporation.  All rights reserved.

17. Miscellaneous.  The Promotion and these Official Rules will be governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of the state of Washington.  Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects.  Sponsor reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time, in its sole discretion, and to suspend or cancel the Promotion or any entrant's participation in the Promotion should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor's control affect the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion, or Sponsor otherwise becomes (as determined in its sole discretion) incapable of running the Promotion as planned.  Entrants and parents or legal guardians of entrants who violate these Official Rules, violate any law, rule or regulation in connection with participation in the Promotion, tamper with the operation of the Promotion or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Sponsor, the Promotion or any other entrant (in each case as determined in Sponsor's sole discretion) are subject to disqualification from entry/participation in the Promotion.  Sponsor reserves the right to lock out persons whose eligibility is in question or who have been disqualified or are otherwise ineligible to enter the Promotion.  Any provision of these Official Rules deemed unenforceable will be enforced to the extent permissible, and the remainder of these Official Rules will remain in effect.  If you have any questions about these Official Rules or the Promotion, please e-mail them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or send written questions to the address listed below, Attn: Critter College "I Need a Name Dude" Contest Questions.

18. Sponsor:  Absorption Corporation, 6960 Salashan Parkway, Ferndale, WA 98248.

 

Critter College > Pets in the Classroom — Grants for Teachers

Pets in the Classroom — Grants for Teachers

Pets in the Classroom — Grants for Teachers

Now you can get help with the cost of pet care in your classroom!

Pets in the Classroom, sponsored by The Pet Care Trust, supports responsible pet care for public school classrooms.

The program provides direct, no-hassle, renewable grants to teachers. You can obtain a grant or coupon for the purchase of new pets, pet habitats or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets.

Click here for more information.

Critter College > CareFRESH Critter College Scholarship Annuity Contest

CareFRESH Critter College Scholarship Annuity Contest

CareFRESH Critter College Scholarship Annuity Contest

Thanks for your interest in the CareFRESH Critter College Scholarship Annuity Contest. The 6/1/11 deadline has passed and we are no longer accepting entries. Please visit carefresh.com again for future contests and promotions.

Critter College > CareFRESH Critter College: National/State Standards Correlation

CareFRESH Critter College: National/State Standards Correlation

The curriculum correlates with national standards as well as standards established by many states for science, math and language arts.

Science

  • National Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry — Performing scientific inquiry regarding the health and safety of small pets
  • National Content Standard C: Life Science — Learning the common characteristics of small animals (rodents), how small animals interact with humans and other animals, how to tell when pets are sick, and how pets adapt to conditions in their habitats
  • National Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives — Learning about hazards to the health and safety of small animals and the importance of giving them regular exercise and a healthy diet
  • Learning about ecosystems
  • Collecting, measuring, graphing and analyzing data
  • Classifying animals
  • Ecology

Math

  • Collecting, organizing and displaying data
  • Converting measurements from one system to another
  • Applying math to everyday situations

Language Arts

  • Applying a variety of writing strategies for different audiences and purposes, including various writing styles — creative, persuasive, reporting on research discoveries, etc.
  • Using spoken, written and visual language to accomplish goals
  • Reading comprehension
  • Building vocabulary
  • Using technology/multimedia to enhance communications

Critter College > Everything You Need!

Everything You Need!

Everything You Need!

CareFresh Critter College Program Materials

CareFRESH Critter College includes everything you need to teach the eight lessons:

  • Complete lesson plans for teachers.
  • Student activity sheets for each lesson.
  • A link to eight episodes of “Dr. Allie McNally, Pet Vet in Training,” which introduce each topic in a fun way.
  • A calendar to help schedule students to care for classroom pets.
  • Certificate of completion.
  • If you order the Lesson in a Box, you'll also receive a DVD with eight episodes of “Dr. Allie McNally, Pet Vet in Training,” a large 12-month calendar,  a voucher for free CareFRESH bedding and food for classroom pets and other coupons.

Critter College > CareFRESH Critter College: What It’s All About

CareFRESH Critter College: What It’s All About

CareFRESH Critter College is designed to be a fun learning experience. Each lesson, which should take 15-30 minutes to complete, focuses on topics targeted to young pet caregivers, including:

  • Bringing a New Pet Home
  • Choosing the Right Pet Supplies
  • Handling Small Pets Safely
  • Safe Pet Snacks
  • Is Your Pet Sick?
  • Cage Cleanup
  • Exercising Your Pet
  • Creating a Happy Habitat

The curriculum is flexible, so you can present one segment or several segments during a classroom session, or spread segments over several weeks as a reward for kids.