Ways Children Can Help Homeless Pets

Volunteering at an Animal Shelter

Most animal shelters do allow children to volunteer. You can walk dogs, play with the cats and other animals, or help in other areas such as fund raising (see below). Very often children under a certain age are required to have an adult with them when volunteering at an animal shelter. This is partially for legal reasons and to prevent the animal shelter from becoming a “baby sitting” service.

Volunteering at an animal shelter is safe, animal shelters do not allow children to volunteer with dangerous animals, sick animals, or those who are just new. Child volunteers will only be working with animals in the adoption system.

Fund Raising

Animal shelters often hold their own fund raisers and kids are usually welcome to assist. These might involve pledge type activities such as “dog jogs”. Some animal shelters hold garages sales or Pet Washes. Kids can participate in most of these fund raisers, however they should not go out collecting money on their own because the public is often wary if the kids are just going to keep the cash for themselves.

Being a Good Pet Owner

Many kids plead with their parents to let them get a pet, but then fail to care for it. Granted, parents should never agree to a pet they are not willing to care for themselves, but this does not excuse their children. The problem is that when kids do not care for a pet the parent may take it to the shelter. If kids really want to help homeless pets they need to start by providing care to the pets they have at home.

By keeping your pets healthy and happy, they do not become problem animals. It is often neglected pets that become a problem. Untrained dogs, and those who do not receive enough stimulation, become bored and destructive and that is how some end up at animal shelters.

It is important that all cats and dogs be spayed or neutered. This is the parents responsibility, but kids can help by making sure that all pets who are not spayed or neutered do not reproduce. Kids often think it would be great to have a litter of kittens, or puppies, but it is because so many people allow their pets to breed that we have a pet over population crisis. Right now, in the United States alone, over 4 million more cats and dogs are born every year for than will find homes.

So, if you are a kid that really wants to help homeless pets start by giving your pets a good home.

Facebook

Children can promote their favorite animal shelter by sharing the shelter's website (if they have one) on Facebook. Kids who wish to do so can also share other pages related to pet care, the importance of spaying and neutering, and pages that encourage adopting a pet.

Birthday Parties at the Animal Shelter

Some kids help homeless pets by planning their birthday party around helping animals. Instead of asking for gifts they ask their friends to bring donations that their animal shelter needs most. You can call an animal shelter and they will tell you want they want and what they cannot use. 

Parents can call ahead to arrange to have a tour of the shelter for the birthday child and their guests, and can leave their donations at the time. Most shelters do not have rooms for a birthday party itself so for food and cake you will have to go someplace else.