From the neighbourhood cat to the creepy crawlies at the bottom of the garden, let’s learn how to look after the creatures we share our planet with.
How to earn your badge:
Complete one of these:
- Help to care for a farm animal for at least two months. Know the correct foods to give it and be able to recognise common illnesses. Learn what special care you need to give before and after the birth of farm animals.
- Take care of an animal for at least two months. Give it the correct foods, and learn to recognise common traits and habits including how to groom, clean and exercise the animal.
Then choose two of these to do:
- Find out about dangers that threaten wildlife in their natural habitat. Make a poster, collage or drawing or tell other Cub Scouts what you found out.
- Learn and understand what you need to do and be aware of when deciding to own a pet.
- Visit a zoo, wildlife park, animal sanctuary or rescue centre. Find out about some of the animals you see. What are their feeding habits and natural habitats?
- Keep a record of bird, animal or insect life in your garden, local area or park. Keep pictures, sketches, photographs or audio recordings. Do this for at least three months.
- Join an animal, bird or wildlife society. Either take part in one of its activities or make progress in any award scheme it offers.
Tips
You could help look after a family or friend’s pet, farm animal, or a school or classroom pet. You could help at an animal shelter, pet store, farm or city farm.
You could also find out about any wild animals near you, that need some help. Birds might need help during the winter when there's less food for them. Or, if there's a hedgehog living nearby, there's lots you can do to help keep them safe.
If you’re thinking about getting a pet, before introducing any animal into your home, you need to make sure you can meet their needs throughout their lifetime.
Any animal, no matter how big or small, will be a big responsibility that will require lots of time, love, money and care every day, so you need to be sure that this is something you can commit to.
July 2024.
Requirements can be adapted to suit each young persons abilities. See our guidance on flexibility.