Kids and pets — it's a great combination! Many shelters have volunteer opportunities for kids, and offer classes in humane education and animal care. Here are a few other ideas on how you can help your shelter:
- Have a One Hope birthday party
Cake and presents are great...but wouldn't your birthday be extra special if you could give something to pets in need as part of your celebration? Have your party guests bring an item for your shelter's wish list in addition to (or, if you're feeling really generous, instead of) a gift for you. At the end of the party, you and your guests can deliver all the stuff you collected to the shelter. Some shelters will even let you have your birthday party there! To find out what kinds of things your shelter needs, visit their web site and look for the "wish list." Or give them a call!
- Hold a One Hope pet-supplies drive.
Don't want to wait until your birthday? Start your own pet-supplies drive now! You can pick one particular item to collect — say, pet beds or collars or toys — or try to get as many "wish list" items as possible. Ask your neighbors, your friends, your parent's friends, people at your church...whoever you think might be interested in helping pets in need!
- Make One Hope your class project.
Looking for a project for your class at school? Adopt your local animal shelter! You and your classmates could collect supplies or raise money. Plan a class trip to the shelter for a tour. Invite a humane educator from the shelter to speak at your school. Start a "volunteering challenge" to see who in your class can log the most time helping the cause.
The shelters' web sites offer lots of information on educational and volunteer opportunities for kids.
> Animal Humane Society (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
> Animal Protective Association of Missouri (St. Louis)
> Humane Society of Missouri (St. Louis)
> Humane Society of Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami)
> North Shore Animal League (Port Washington)
> San Francisco SPCA
> Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (Walnut Creek)
Don't live near a One Hope Network shelter? You can find adoptable pets in your area through our Pet Search.