Richmond Animal League (RAL) is excited to offer educational field trip programs for schools, camps, and community groups interested in animal welfare and the work of animal shelters. Our engaging, age-appropriate programs aim to cultivate empathy, promote responsible pet care, and give children a behind-the-scenes look at how we support cats and dogs in need.

RAL offers two field trip tracks designed for different age groups:  Ages 6–10 and Ages 11–15

Each field trip is 75 minutes long and includes:

• An interactive discussion about animal care, sheltering, and advocacy

• A meet-and-greet with a RAL shelter animal

• An activity benefiting shelter pets and/or advocacy workers

• A guided outdoor tour of the RAL campus

Note: Due to safety protocols, children under the age of 16 are not permitted inside the dog kennel area. However, participants may interact with a featured dog in a supervised, kennel setting.

Group Requirements

To ensure a safe and enriching experience for all:

• Each group must provide one adult chaperone for every 6 children.

• Group size is limited to a maximum of 20 children.

• All children must remain with their assigned chaperones throughout the visit.

Program Cost

There is a $200 flat fee for the field trip program. This fee helps offset the cost of staff time, materials, and animal care during your visit. Payment is due when booking a field trip date.

Have questions? Please email creativecritters@ral.org.