How Kids Can Help Animals: Fun and Meaningful Ways for Children to Make a Difference

This expert guide to how kids can help animals in shelters was written by former animal shelter worker Allison Gray, longtime pet foster mom Tamar Love Grande and certified veterinary technician Kristene Carroll. Writer C.D. Watson, who has been researching and writing about animal welfare causes for years, and Sean Green of PetMOZ also contributed to this article.

How Kids Can Help Animals in Shelters

Most kids we've met want to hug and pet every fuzzy 4-legged critter they can wrap their arms around. Children love animals, and that’s precisely why getting kids involved with helping animal shelters is such a great idea.

It’s not always simple to determine how kids can help animals in shelters, though, especially for very young children. However, there are numerous ways for kids of all ages to contribute — whether from home, in school, or directly at the shelter.

In this expert guide on how kids can help animals, we'll cover:

• Simple shelter volunteer tasks for kids, with suggestions for appropriate age groups
• How (and why) to celebrate your child's birthday party at an animal shelter
• Ways kids can spread awareness about animal welfare among their peers
• Creative ideas to get children involved, including a fantastic reading program that benefits both kids and animals

By finding the right balance of activities, you can ensure that kids are actively engaged in helping animals while learning valuable lessons in compassion and responsibility.

Why Kids Should Get Involved With Animal Shelters

Animal shelters depend entirely on donations and community support. Operating a shelter is an act of love that demands an enormous amount of dedication, time, and energy. It's crucial to show kids the importance of responsible pet care and the significant role animal shelters play in our communities.

Through involvement with shelters, children gain a sense of accomplishment and the rewards that come from helping animals in need.

Age-Appropriate Involvement in Animal Shelters

Not all children are capable of or should be allowed to perform, some of the tasks that shelter volunteers manage. However, almost every age group can find a way to contribute: High school teens (16–18 years old) can: Kids in junior high (13–15 years old) can:

• Children 12 and younger can help with their parents to:

Keep in mind that most shelters have age restrictions for their volunteers and may require a parent or guardian to be present with volunteers younger than 18. Some shelters don’t allow very young volunteers, or they may have specific days set aside for them.

For instance, Austin Pets Alive! in Texas works with another organization to host volunteers younger than 12 each month.

Check with your local shelter to understand its specific needs and volunteer policies.

How Kids Can Help Animals in Shelters

In recent years, there has been a growing trend among parents to teach their children the value of volunteering. Schools are also joining in, with many high schools across the country requiring students to complete a certain number of volunteer hours before they can graduate.

Easy Projects at the Shelter

Because of insurance concerns, some shelters and rescues do not allow children younger than 16 to work directly with the animals. However, kids can still make a significant impact by helping out in other ways. Here are a few ideas: Assist with minor clerical tasks, such as:

Organizing a Pet Supply Drive

Not all involvement with animal shelters needs to happen on-site. Children can contribute, raise awareness, and benefit shelters from the comfort of your home or within the community.

One impactful way is by organizing a pet supply drive at school, church, or within your community. This activity can raise awareness about local shelters and the many benefits of adopting a pet instead of buying one. Here’s how to get started:

Once the supplies are gathered, you and your child can drop them off at your local animal rescue or shelter. Kids often find it rewarding to see the direct impact of their efforts, and this experience teaches them a lifelong lesson in kindness and responsibility.

Donation Canisters for Local Shops

Animal shelters operate on very lean budgets, with the estimated cost of housing an animal at a shelter ranging from $3 to $25 a day. Even a few dollars can feed a homeless animal for an entire week.

Help your child reach out to local stores and restaurants to see if they would keep a donation canister at their register. The loose change that customers drop in can add up quickly. Additional ideas:

Teaching Tithing for Animal Welfare

If your child receives an allowance, you can teach them a valuable life lesson by having them set aside a certain percentage to donate to an animal charity. A simple approach:

Participating in a Charity Walk for Animals

If your child is old enough to walk a mile or so, consider entering them in a charity walk that benefits animal welfare organizations. These events are not only fun but also help raise awareness and funds for shelter animals. Preparing for the walk:

Altruistic Birthday Party

One of our readers shared a heartwarming story about her 7-year-old son, who recently donated his birthday presents to shelter animals. Instead of receiving gifts for himself, he asked his friends to bring something for the local animal shelter. The generous donations included:

By the end of the party, her son had collected a large pile of supplies and $14.05. Although the amount was small, it meant the world to the kids that they were able to help homeless and needy animals.

Hosting a Bake Sale for Shelter Animals

Bake sales may be old-fashioned, but they’re a sweet (pun intended) way for kids to raise money for an animal shelter. These events are also great for involving more people in the cause. Additional fun ideas:

Collaborating with shelter volunteers, friends, or other community members can help brainstorm even more creative ideas. Not only does the shelter benefit from the exposure and raised funds, but the children also gain a strong sense of achievement by contributing to the shelter’s success.

Car Wash for a Cause

Organizing a car wash is another fantastic way for kids to raise funds for animal shelters. Here’s how to make it work:

These activities allow kids to actively participate in helping animals while also fostering a sense of community and responsibility.

Throw Your Kid's Birthday Party at the Shelter

Many animal shelters offer space for parties, making them a unique and meaningful venue for celebrating your child's special day. Instead of hosting a birthday party at home, consider having the guests venture out to a shelter, where they can play with animals while sipping juice and singing “Happy Birthday.”

Reasons to Have a Birthday Party at an Animal Shelter

Hosting a kid's birthday party at an animal shelter offers numerous benefits: It’s Affordable: It Helps Homeless Animals: It’s an Unforgettable Experience: It’s All for a Great Cause:

Supporting the Shelter in Multiple Ways

By throwing a birthday party at an animal shelter, you’re helping the organization in several meaningful ways: Raising Awareness: Financial Support: Providing Resources:

This approach to celebrating a birthday not only creates lasting memories but also makes a positive impact on the lives of animals in need.

Other Ways That Kids Can Help Animal Shelters

There are many additional ways for kids to get involved in helping animal shelters beyond individual efforts. Schools and groups can play a significant role in raising awareness and providing support.

Class Field Trips and Lessons

Many animal shelters offer educational support through various programs, including shelter tours, school presentations, and even sponsored events. These visits often include:

Child-Friendly Events and Activities

In addition to education and outreach at the shelters, some rescue groups sponsor special events that are perfect for children, such as: Birthday Parties: After-School Story Time:

These activities not only provide a fun and engaging experience for children but also help them develop a lifelong commitment to animal welfare.

Use this video to teach your kids about how animal shelters work:

Story Time at the Shelter

One of our favorite shelter programs for kids is offered by the Humane Society in Missouri, combining children, dogs, and the joy of learning to read. This unique initiative invites children to volunteer their time by reading to the dogs in the shelter.

How the Program Benefits the Dogs

Dogs in shelters often experience high levels of stress, especially those who struggle to adjust to the shelter environment. The Story Time program is designed to help these dogs in several ways: Encourages Curiosity: Non-Threatening Interaction: Increases Adoption Chances:

How the Program Benefits the Kids

This activity is also a win-win for the children, offering them a unique opportunity to improve their reading skills in a supportive environment. Improved Reading Skills: Confidence Building:

Here's NBC's report on the Shelter Buddies Reading Program:

Expanding the Success of Shelter Buddies

Due to the success of the Story Time program, a number of shelters across the nation have begun to adopt similar initiatives. The program in Missouri, known as Shelter Buddies, has become a model for others. You can learn more about it on the Humane Society of Missouri’s website.

Sharing a Love for Animals

If your child is a frequent volunteer or visitor at your local shelter, they can share their experiences with their peers at school. This not only spreads awareness but can also inspire others to get involved. Consider discussing these ideas with your child: Show-and-Tell: Writing a Report: Volunteering to Post Flyers: Wearing Their Heart on Their Sleeve:

Spreading the word at school could result in more volunteers for the shelter and possibly more adoptions. While the impact children have on shelters may seem small now, the lessons they learn will help them grow into adults whose empathy toward animals will make the world a better place.

For pets, pet lovers, and shelters, this can only be a good thing.

Watch the kids at this school raise funds for their local animal rescue in this video:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)