Volunteering for Kids

Kids ages 6-17 and their parents can help animals who are displaying fear, stress, and anxiety by volunteering for our Book Buddies and Sketch-a-Pet programs! These programs not only help dogs calm down and decompress, but they also help socialize animals who may not have been around children, making them more adoptable.

Sketch-a-Pet

Do you have an artistic child who loves animals? Sketch-a-Pet is the perfect way for them to showcase their talents while helping homeless animals!

Children can draw on our large sketchpads and take their drawings home with them, or we can provide them with smaller, prompted sheets that are sized to be displayed on our dog's kennels! 

Your child's presence will help our shelter pets relax and get them used to children. Not only that, but if your child displays their art on a dog's kennel, it can showcase the dog's best qualities and make them more adoptable.

Sketch-a-Pet is geared toward children between the ages of six and twelve. While there is no upper age limit, all children must be at least six years old, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Click here to sign up for Sketch-a-Pet

Book Buddies

Does your child love to read? Maybe you want them to keep up with their literary skills during school breaks. Our Book Buddies program (also known as Reading to Animals) allows your child to practice their reading skills and help homeless pets!

Children can bring their own books or choose one from our small collection. We also encourage children to write their own stories and bring them to read to the animals!

Your child's presence will help our shelter pets relax and get them used to children. When shelter pets are relaxed in their kennel, they're more likely to be adopted.

Book Buddies is geared toward children between the ages of six and seventeen. While there is no upper age limit, all children must be at least six years old, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

If you want your child to become a Book Buddy, we accept walk-ins Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm! Please complete the Book Buddies waiver in advance. 

For groups of ten or more, please contact volunteer@animalfoundation.com to set up an appointment.