Kenson Kids, an award-winning maker of parenting tools, reward charts and more, announced today the launch of its innovative pet care system inspired by a twelve-year-old girl.
In need of a system to help her care for the baby birds she would receive for the holidays, North Carolina resident Ava Bertelli invented her own, using the Kenson Kid’s popular “I Can Do It” reward chart. When the company heard her story, founders Jen Edmundson and Jen Kent decided to take the product mainstream in hopes it will help other kids take better care of their pets.
Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This number generally increases around the holiday season, with three animals being abandoned every hour. Experts attribute this influx to the tendency of gift givers to underestimate the unexpected burden that pet ownership can sometimes bring on a family.
Kenson Kids reward charts offer a fun way for children and parents to keep track of chores, behaviors, and responsibilities. Featuring colorful cards and plastic stars with a hook and loop fasteners, the charts provide both visual and tactile stimulation and encourages pre-reading skills.
Kenson Kids’ newest products are customizable pet care checklists, which include dog care and cat care task cards illustrated by Ava, along with useful tips on caring for pets. The task cards are also available as a supplemental pack that can be used with Kenson Kids' I Can Do It! reward chart and includes the tasks involved to care for dogs, cats or birds, three of the most popular types of pets in the United States.
I had a chance to do an interview to learn more.
1. Why did you create the Pet Care System?
Ava: “I learned about all the animals abandoned after the holidays and I felt really bad for them, so I wanted to help. I thought the best way to do that was to teach kids how to decide if they’re ready for a pet and how to take care of their pets properly.”
Jen Kent, Co-owner of Kenson Kids: “Anyone who has brought a new animal into their home knows that owning a pet is a lot of work! As an active volunteer with an animal rescue group, I’ve witnessed firsthand the number of animals returned to shelters when people underestimate the time and energy it takes to train and care for them.
“When Ava came to us with an idea to help kids take on the responsibility of caring for their pets, we wanted to help her bring her idea to life! Teaching kids to care for their pets not only lessens the burden on parents but it also teaches kids valuable life lessons in responsibility, trust, and compassion. It’s also a great way to help a child bond with their pet.”
2. How can this help encourage people to keep pets instead of taking them to shelters?
Ava: “The pet care chart and blog posts explain how to make pet care easy and fun so kids will be less likely to forget.”
Jen Kent: “While our product cannot directly keep animals out of the shelters, it can help a family share the responsibility of caring for and training their pet, which makes pet ownership easier to manage and decreases undesired behaviors in their pet. Research shows these are two primary reasons pets are abandoned.
“A system like ours works best when it’s in place from day one. Typically, children will initially complete the tasks on their chart out of excitement. Then by the time the newness wears off, they will have established habits that will carry forward.
“A chart system eliminates the need for parents to tell a child they need to feed the dog or scoop the kitty litter. With time and practice, our charts help turn those daily tasks into a routine.”
3. What is your advice for families to make sure they're ready for the commitment of a pet?
Ava: “Families should ask themselves if they have the time, money and patience for a pet because pets need all the basics (food, water, exercise, etc.) and they also need love and attention.”
Jen Kent: “First, the decision to adopt a pet shouldn’t be taken lightly. Families should do their research, in order to choose a pet that best suits their family based on size, temperament, lifestyle, etc.
“Next, before bringing the new pet into the home, families should have a conversation about the daily tasks involved in caring for a pet and assigns roles and responsibilities to each family member. By the very first day the pet comes home, children and parents know what to expect.”
Kenson Kids is donating a portion of the proceeds to a charity, of Ava’s choice, that supports animal welfare.
Kenson Kids is donating a portion of the proceeds to a charity, of Ava’s choice, that supports animal welfare.
About Kenson Parenting Solutions: Kenson Parenting Solutions is a Women in Business Enterprise (WBE) and a leading manufacturer of parenting solutions products. Based in Youngsville, NC, Kenson Parenting Solutions was founded by two moms who saw a need (as parents themselves) to create high-quality parenting aids that really work. From reward charts, daily checklists, and ID bands, to potty training, games, and stickers, Kenson Parenting Solutions’ products help parents, teachers, and caregivers positively influence behavior, manners, and self-esteem, while helping all children thrive at home, school, and in life!
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