Children Ages 3 - 9 Years

Reading for Rescue Program
Families with children ages 3 to 9 years old can join our Reading for Rescue Program! Many of our shelter animals have never heard a kind voice speak to them. Through reading, our young volunteers help new animals acclimate to the shelter environment and teach the joy a kind voice can bring. Parents sit with their children in specific areas of the shelter and read stories to the animals. This increases enrichment and positive behavior from the animals as well as improve reading and public speaking skills for the children! Both child and parent/guardian must submit individual volunteer applications​​ ​and attend an orientation class to utilize this program.
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*Please note that children in this age range may not handle the leash of an animal or be left alone in any area of the shelter. Parents/guardians must stay with their children at all times.​

Children Ages 10 - 14 Years

Junior Volunteer Program
Junior volunteers begin their journey just as our adult volunteers but with the supervision and assistance of their parent or guardian. Children between 10 and 14 years of age, along with their guardian, join our Enrichment and Facilities Teams - two of the most important teams for our animals! Once your family has attended an orientation class, you and your child will begin to enrich the lives of our animals through socialization and play and ensure their continued health by providing clean and sanitary facility conditions. Both the child and parent/guardian must submit individual volunteer applications and attend an orientation class.

• Volunteering is a great way to teach children the responsibilities associated with caring for a pet! Keep our pets comfy, cozy, and healthy by assisting with daily kennel laundry and dish sanitation duties.
• Children will learn how to interpret animal body language and animal medical needs by enriching the lives of our animals through on-leash walks in our fenced backyard and off-leash play in our large concrete yard, with the supervision of a parent or guardian.
• Children will learn training skills by providing our animals with the education they need to make them good canine citizens. Through positive reinforcement of good behaviors and teaching basic commands, such as sit, down, and shake, kids will enjoy helping our animals learn and grow in preparation for their forever homes. 

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*Please note that children in this age range may not handle the leash of an animal or be left alone in any area of the shelter. Parents/guardians must stay with junior volunteers at all times.

Children Ages 15 - 17 Years

Junior Adult Volunteer Program
Teenagers that are 15 to 17 years of age can be a part of our volunteer team in the same capacity as our adult volunteers. During orientation class, junior adults will receive a liability waiver that must be signed by themselves and one parent or guardian. Once we have received the completed waiver, the junior adult may begin volunteering without a parent or guardian under the guidance of the volunteer coordinator. Prospective volunteers must submit a volunteer application and attend an orientation class to get started!
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For more information, please call 417-833-2526 ext. 204 or email [email protected].