Youth Volunteer Opportunities
While our age requirement is 16 to volunteer on campus there are opportunities available for those under 16. Our Humane Education program also periodically hosts programs that offer volunteer hours.
Youth Opportunities
iFoster: Ages 8-17
The iFoster program is available to kids between the ages of 8 years old and 17 years old. This is an opportunity for the youth to accrue community service hours while also helping the community and animals in need. This program allows youth volunteers to take on a foster animal (likely a kitten but sometimes cats, puppies, and dogs) until they’re old enough to be processed into the shelter system with the supervision of an adult guardian. iFoster volunteers accrue 2 hours per day for each foster animal. Proof of hours will be awarded once you’ve finished fostering and the animal(s) return to the shelter.
Responsibilities:
- Temporarily house an animal for either age, space, or medical reasons.
- Provide basic care for the foster animal(s) by feeding, socializing, cleaning, and playing with them
- Administer routine flea prevention, deworming, and/or any prescribed medication
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments and routine checks
- Be the animal’s advocate by marketing them on social media
Requirements:
The legal guardian is required to accompany the child to orientation and any additional follow-up visits. The purpose of the program is for children to foster with the guidance of a parent/guardian.
Commitment:
The length of time you foster varies depending on the individual animal. We ask that you at least commit to a minimum of 2 weeks, although fostering generally lasts longer than two weeks.
- Kittens you must foster until they’re big enough (2 pounds) to be processed into the shelter system. (1 week- 10-week commitment)
- Puppies must be fostered until they’re big enough (3 pounds) to be processed into the shelter system. (1 week-10-week commitment
Humane Education Opportunities
The Education Department at Peggy Adams has several ways for you to earn service hours and gain awesome experience. With both on-campus and off-campus opportunities, you are sure the find the right fit for your service hours requirements.
Rescue Readers
Whether your children are too young to volunteer on campus and looking for service hours, or you’re looking for a new way to engage your kids, reading to shelter animals is a perfect fit. Not only are the children able to develop their reading skills and boost self-esteem in front of a non-judgmental audience, but it also provides valuable socialization and love to the shelter animals. Learn more about the Rescue Readers program here
Try This!
Earn service hours from the comfort of your own home by crafting toys for the shelter's cats and dogs! Choose from a variety of DIY projects to complete at home and drop off at our campus. These toys help animals beat boredom in the shelter and keep their minds healthy and happy. For more information and to get started crafting, view our project booklet here
Kindness Rock Garden
Simply paint rocks with a design, quote, or anything that makes you smile or provides inspiration- and receive service hours! Learn how to participate here
Other Programs
The Humane Education department also offers seasonal School's Out Programs, School & Homeschool Programs, Family Programs, and Youth Programs, many of which offer volunteer opportunities to younger animal enthusiasts.
