Mars Petcare creates '˜Pet Ambassadors' of the future at Asfordby Hill

It is an education project launched by the Waltham-on-the-Wolds firm which aims to encourage positive and healthy pet ownership.

Mars community manager Angie Phillips said: “The project aims to educate and engage children between the ages of eight and 11 to become Pet Ambassadors.

“Children love our fun education zones that teaches them all about the amazing abilities of cats and dogs, how to care for them and behave around them in an appropriate way. Who wouldn’t want to visit Poo Corner?

“Working with young people is a very energising experience but also they are key influencers on their parents, friends and family. We hope that through this education programme the children will take their learning and passion for pets out of the classroom to positively impact on their own communities.”

The programme is delivered through four learning zones – ‘Pet Super Senses’; ‘Pets are Cool’, understanding how they can be superheroes; ‘Creature Comforts’, learning about what makes them happy or sad; and ‘Poo Corner’, learning how to pick up mess and why it’s so important for good health.

Children rotate around the zones and have their learning supported with a fun student workbook. At the end of the day, they receive a certificate confirming they are the ‘Pet Ambassadors’ of the future.

Robert Molloy, of Mars, said: “To know that we have been encouraging the next generation to be responsible pet owners makes us all feel like we have made a real difference. We had some great questions and engagement from the children and can’t wait to run the sessions again in another school soon.”

Year 4 teacher Jessica Tierney said: “I chatted to a few of the children after the event and they were really enthused about what they’d learnt and very keen to share their new found knowledge, especially all about Poo Corner.

“Our children will always remember the day that Mars came in and talked to them about pets (and poo)!”