Videos to Watch
Educational Guides
Virtual field trip to our animal shelter — This video by Front Street Animal Shelter shows the behind the scenes of an animal shelter and how they save the lives of adorable animals in need.
What Is an Animal Shelter — This educational video teaches kids about animal shelters, homeless dogs and cats, and what they can do to help.
Take a Field Trip to an Animal Shelter — This video by South Florida PBS shows kids visiting an animal shelter, where they learn the rules for petting a puppy, watch the vet give the puppy a checkup, see the relationship of the puppy's body parts to their own, and exercise outside with the puppy.
On the job with an animal shelter worker — In this video, animal shelter worker Meghan Kekewich shows her on the job caring for dogs and cats and helping them find good homes.
Educational Guides
10 Ways Kids Like You Can Help Animals in Shelters — This article, accompanied with informational graphics and pictures, explains 10 different ways your child can help animal shelters through volunteerism and adoption.
Before Adopting a Dog: What to Consider — A pet is a serious and important responsibility, and you need to be absolutely sure you can always care for them and cover all their needs before deciding to adopt one. This AnimalWised article goes over what to consider before adopting a dog.
A Kids' Guide to Protecting & Caring for Animals — This printable guide contains a variety of content, resources, and reflection questions on how kids can learn about not only animal shelters, but also protection and conservation.
Articles to Read
Kids Books
How Kids are Helping Shelter Pets by Reading Them Stories — This article investigates how one shelter’s reading program creates an environment for kids and animals to interact and increase the rate of adoption.
Why animal shelters are facing a new crisis — Across North America, staffing shortages and the pandemic make it a struggle to help homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits. This article explores some of the factors and reasons behind this change.
Making the shelter a happier place for animals — This article explores how animal shelters can create better environments for animals’ emotional health and programs surrounding this.
Kids Books
The Shelter Puppy by Holly Webb (Author) and Sophy Williams (Illustrator)
Tails from the Animal Shelter by Stephanie Shaw (Author) and Sophy Williams (Illustrator)
Buddy Unchained by Daisy Bix (Author) and Joe Hyatt (Illustrator)
Operation Rescue Dog by Maria Gianferrari (Author) and Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)
Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp (Author and Illustrator)
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummins (Author)
Volunteering Resources
Websites for Kids
Petfinder — Petfinder is a website and home to thousands of adoptable pets, ready to meet their people.
Animal Rescue and Response Team — The Humane Society is accepting volunteers to join teams such as Animal Sheltering and Veterinary Assistance.
American Humane — American Humane’s Animal Emergency Services volunteer responders are animal lovers committed to making sure that animals’ needs are met during times of crisis.
Volunteer at AHS — The Animal Humane Society has group volunteer opportunities to support their work and care for animals through group service projects such as collecting and donating items or holding a fundraiser.
More Information
Jumpstart Pet Rescue JumpStart Pet Rescue is an educational app loaded with fun activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners that helps little ones learn key skills. Includes songs and interactive stories.
Virtual Pet Games Virtual pet games provides a fun opportunity for kids to practice adoption and learn about each pets unique behaviors.
Pasadena Humane Society provides an educational page for kids, including videos to learn about animal safety, dog sitting worksheets, and learn other ways to better support animals.
Nonprofits Focused on Animal Wellness
The Humane Society of the United States — The Humane Society of the United States fights the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together, they take on puppy mills, factory farms, the fur trade, trophy hunting, animal cosmetics testing and other cruel industries.
Underdog Animal Rescue — Underdog is a strong network of volunteers in the Bay Area dedicated to saving the Underdogs in their shelters and community.
The Animal Foundation — The Animal Foundation of Las Vegas, founded in 1978 as a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, is one of the highest volume single-site animal shelters in America.
Animal Humane Society — Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help more than 100,000 animals in need across Minnesota.
Best Friends Animal Society — Best Friends is a national nonprofit animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — The ASPCA mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.