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Do you love animals? Furry, feathered, or finned—animals need your help. Here are some ways ZOOMers like you are volunteering:
- Tracy of Washington cares for sick and injured animals at a wildlife center.
- Monica of Florida ran a lemonade stand to raise money for a local animal shelter.
- Christina and her family in Illinois returned a lost dog to its owner.
- Kazie and Katherine of Massachusetts held a yard sale to raise money for an organization that helps manatees.
- First-grade students in California rescued duck eggs from rice fields before harvest, kept them in an incubator in their class, and then released them to the wild.
More inZpiration!
- Feed birds in the backyard with the ZOOM Birdfeeder. Remember to keep it filled!
- Have an "animal" bake sale with goodies like Butterfly Bites, Cinnamon Snails, and Bunny Cake. Then give the money you raise to a place that helps animals.
- Volunteer your time at a zoo, aquarium, or nature center.
- Adopt an animal from an animal shelter.
For her birthday, Amanda of Minnesota decided to have a "pet" party. She asked her friends to bring pet supplies instead of presents. Then Amanda gave the pet supplies to an animal shelter. Here's how to have your own pet party:
- First find an animal shelter that you want to help. You can look in the Yellow Pages under "Animal Shelter" for places.
- Ask an adult to help you call the shelter. Ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator. Explain that you want to collect pet supplies to donate. Ask lots of questions, like: What kinds of animals do they take care of? What types of pet supplies do they need? When can you drop off the supplies? Most shelters need things like leashes, cat food, dog food, and old towels and blankets for beds.
- Plan your party! How many friends will you invite? What games will you play? Try making a pet theme with animal games (like Poor Kitty and Animal Sound Game) and animal food (like Zebra Cake and Butterfly Bites). Visit ZOOM Party to find more games, food, and fun things to do.
- Invite guests. You can use ZOOM invitations. Don't forget to explain what a "pet party" is and suggest pet supplies to bring.
- It's party time—have fun!
- Collect the pet supplies and take them to the animal shelter. Add a note that lists the friends who helped you.
- Think about it:
- Who did your project help?
- What did you see and hear during the project?
- How did this project make you feel?
- What did you learn that you did not know before?
- What new questions or ideas do you have?
- Is there anything you would do differently the next time?
- Celebrate! Thank everyone who helped you. And remember to log your hours and share your story.
- Keep helping. Animal shelters often need volunteers to feed, play with, and walk animals. Find out if you can volunteer. Remember that if you are under 16 years old, you will probably need an adult to go with you.
Visit Animaland Pet Care Guide
Learn how to take care of your pet. American Humane Society: Just for Kids
Find out about places where you can help animals. KidsPlanet
Get the facts about endangered animals and how to protect them. Read Ducks Disappearing
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Atheneum Willie figures out why the ducks are disappearing and helps adults understand that the ducks belong to everyone. Koko-Love! Conversations with a Signing Gorilla
By Francine Patterson
Dutton Learn about a gorilla that uses American Sign Language, and meet his human family, who created a foundation to protect gorillas and other endangered animals. Nights of the Pufflings
By Bruce McMillan
Houghton Mifflin The children on Heimaey Island in Iceland help young puffling birds make their way toward the open sea. Once a Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf
By Stephen R. Swinburne
Houghton Mifflin Learn about how biologists study wolves and how wolves have been reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park. Call Find places that help animals by looking in the Yellow Pages under these headings:
- Animal Hospitals
- Animal Shelters
- Aquariums
- Zoos
Call your Volunteer Center. This is a place that can help you find volunteer projects. To find a Volunteer Center near you, visit this Web site or call 1-800-VOLUNTEER. Then ask an adult to help you call. Tell them your age and ask if there are ways that you can help animals.
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