How Kids Can Help Shelter Animals

Everyone wants to work with pets at the animal shelter but in this litigious society, many animal-welfare groups do not allow volunteers under 18 years old to have direct-animal contact and some can't have children volunteer on-site. But there are ways to get kids involved in helping shelter animals.

Parents and children should visit their local shelter for specific jobs that meet that shelter's needs and the age and interests of your child but the ideas below will get you started.

For older kids

· It's not exciting, but helping with office work is a tremendous help to most animal shelters. From filing to stuffing envelopes, clerical jobs allow the shelter staff to do what they're trained for - caring the animals. And in many cases, this actually can increase adoptions because the staff can spend more time promoting animals and working with adopters.

· Some shelters may allow teens under 18 to photograph animals available for adoption. These photos can be posted on the web and used in promotional materials. If the shelter can't allow kids to actually take the photos, the staff may allow them to use the photos for adoption boards (see next idea) or to post them on internet sites.

· Adoption boards are a wonderful way to inform the public of adoptable pets. These boards can be used at the shelter's events but kids can also maintain a board at their library, a vet office or a local business.

· Cleaning pet cages and helping spruce up the shelter are not glamorous jobs, but again, they are extremely helpful to the staff. Kids will not be able to handle the animals in most cases, but many get satisfaction out of making the animals' environment for comfortable for them and more inviting to visitors.

· From posting fliers to pre-event set-up to assisting during the event, there is a lot a young volunteer can do to help. Many shelters need to sell raffle tickets (or other items) to raise money throughout the year. But there also are lots of fundraising events that shelters will need other help. If you are selling anything for your local shelter, parents should accompany you if you have to go door-to-door.

· Foster care is another way to help animals in need and a way for children to learn how to care for them. However, this can be a very tough job because the goal is to return the animals for adoption. This also is a job that requires significant parental involvement and supervision and can be disruptive to your home in some cases. That said, it is a tremendously rewarding opportunity for the whole family and shelters never have enough foster parents.

For kids of all ages:

· Run a pet food drive. Is there a local pet store that might donate some pet supplies to your Pet Food Drive? Can a parent, teacher, scout leader guide you in your project? Get a wish list from your shelter so you know what it needs. Put collection bins at your community center or library (ask permission first) with the wish list. Promote your drive by posting fliers in the area and posting a notice in your local newspaper or municipal community calendar.

· Do a service project with your local scout troop, school class or other community organization. Your project could be to inform the community about pet overpopulation or simply to get the word out about your local animal shelter.

· You could make treats for the animals. This saves the shelter money and gives the animals something extra special. You can find some recipes online and there is one at the end of this article. Be aware of the ingredients you use because there are some that can cause intestinal distress or be more harmful to pets, such as cow's milk, chocolate, onions and onion powder. If you use a recipe that involves eggs, the treats should be refrigerated.

· Why not create an animal club to continue helping animals? Find students or neighbors who share your interest in helping animals. Create a mission and each year (or however often you want), pick a project to help your shelter's pets. Or you could take on a local issue. For example, if your town has an issue with stray cats, you could work with your shelter to alleviate the problem.

· Make a cat toy or pet blanket. See the end of this article for instructions.

Volunteering can be a one-time effort or a lifelong endeavor. And it's something that parents can do with their children to help animals in need.

Catnip Critters (Any Age)

Items needed:

· Baby socks

· Catnip

1. Take a handful of catnip and stuff it inside a baby sock. Leave enough room to tie the sock.

2. Tie the end of the sock.

3. If you want to be creative, you can use a non-toxic marker to make eyes, nose and mouth for the catnip critter.

Snuggly Blanket (Probably best for older kids):

Items Needed:

§ Remnants of sheets or blankets or just one sheet

§ Thread and needle (or sewing machine)

§ Batting

§ Pins

§ Scissors

1. If you'd like to make a patchwork blanket, cut the different materials into rectangles or squares of varying sizes.

2. Pin two squares together and then sew. Keep attaching one square or rectangle to the next until the front of your blanket is the desired size. (A 3-foot square blanket is a good size for a cat or small dog).

3. Once the front is finished, cut another piece of material to the same size. Pin the front and back pieces together.

4. Sew three sides of the material and half of the fourth side with a sewing machine or by hand. Turn the material right-side out.

5. Stuff the blanket with batting. Then sew the hole by hand.

Oatmeal Biscuits

Items Needed:

A cookie cutter - bone shape is the cutest but any shape will work

1 ½ cups - Oatmeal (uncooked)

1 cup - Flour

1 cup - Cornmeal

1 - Egg

½ cup - Vegetable Oil (or Canola Oil)

½ cup - Water

½ teaspoon - salt (optional)

Makes about a dozen 3-inch long biscuits

1. Combine oatmeal, flour, cornmeal and salt (salt is optional) in a large bowl and mix. Add in egg, oil and water and mix thoroughly.

2. Place dough in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for about an hour or enough time that it seems more like dough instead of porridge (the more solid the dough's consistency, the easier it will be to roll).

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

4. Take dough out of refrigerator and roll dough out onto lightly floured surface to about a ½-inch thickness. Cut out biscuits with a cookie cutter (preferably a dog-shaped bone).

5. Transfer biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet. Using a spatula is often helpful

6. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes for small (1" long) or 30 minutes for large (3") or until they turn a golden color.

7. Let cool and then place in an airtight container. Refrigerate.