Before a new baby is born, expectant parents with pets need to prepare. To help with that preparation, Jane Deming - formerly with the Providence Animal Rescue League, now with the American Humane Association, and Katenna Jones - formerly with the RI SPCA, now with the American Humane Association, developed a program called "Baby Ready Pets".  The program is designed as a common sense approach for preparing pets for your new baby.

The Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island is now providing the Baby Ready Pets program free to pet owners who are expecting a baby. It provides a checklist for expectant parents so that they can prepare their animals and themselves for changes in household dynamics brought about with the arrival of a newborn. 

The two-hour workshops are presented in collaboration with South County Hospital, by ARL/SRI's Humane Education Coordinator, Megan Machnik and Megen Gifford, a well-know and respected dog trainer/evaluator.  The sessions include informational literature and opportunities for questions and answers. Following the program, if participants have questions or concerns they are welcome to call or email the ARL/SRI.  We will be happy to respond.

Baby Ready Pets is presented once monthly at the Potter Conference Center, at South County Hospital from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and is the only program of its type being presented with hospital collaboration in Southern Rhode Island.  Pre-registration is highly recommended as sessions are limited to 10 participants plus one guest each.

Scheduled dates for upcoming sessions are:      

April 14, 2009                          September 8, 2009

May 12, 2009                           October 13, 2009

June 9, 2009                           November 10, 2009 

July 14, 2009                           December 8, 2009

August 11, 2009

Note, this is the second Tuesday of each month.  TO PRE-REGISTER PLEASE CALL 401-792-2233 OR EMAIL arlsri-humane.edu@hotmail.com.