WAYS KIDS AND TEENS CAN HELP ANIMALS!

The Atlanta Humane Society needs volunteers of all ages in our community. Donating your time, energy, and talents is a great way to support the many programs and services the AHS provides for people and animals throughout the Southeast. Following are some fun ideas for volunteer groups and individuals. Feel free to come up with projects of your own too, but note that all projects using the AHS name must be approved first.

“Be Kind To Animals” Art Contest in Memory of Jonathan Edward Ratner

Kids can raise awareness for animals by entering our annual Student Art Contest. The contest is open to kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade, and it’s a great way to use your talent to promote “Be Kind to Animals Week” (the first full week of May every year). All entries are due at the AHS by March 31. To read more about the Be Kind to Animals Art Contest, please go here.

For animals at the shelter

Unfortunately, you aren’t able to volunteer at the AHS until you are 16 years old, but that doesn’t keep you from making a difference in the lives of animals now. There are LOTS of ways you can help the animals at the Atlanta Humane Society and everywhere.

Fundraising

Since we rely on donations from kind-hearted people to run the Shelter, donations are always a welcomed gift! You can hold a bake sale, host a car wash, or some other fund-raiser at your school or in your neighborhood, and donate the money you raise to the AHS. Some kids elect to turn their birthday parties into fund-raisers by asking that party-goers bring money to be donated to the AHS, in lieu of birthday presents. For more information on how to hold a fundraiser, click here.

A FEW SIMPLE GUIDELINES:

• Collection of proceeds from youth fundraising projects should be handled by one person (the sponsor, teacher or responsible student). To prevent any misrepresentation, funds should be given immediately to AHS.
• The AHS assumes no expenses, liabilities, or responsibility for the event. All liabilities are the responsibility of the youth organization during the event.
• Always get approval for any function from the principal or other school official before holding an event on school grounds.
• The Society gives permission to use our name as follows: “Proceeds from this event (or sale) will be donated to the Atlanta Humane Society to help our Society Pets.”

Special Events

Throughout the year, the AHS holds several special fundraising events that require the support of many volunteers. Your group could help by volunteering to distribute brochures prior to the event or by participating in the event as a group. Annual events include the Pet Parade-A Walk For Animals and our annual Be Kind to Animals Week Student Art Contest (grades K through 8). We need your help to spread the word!

Wish List

Collect items from our wish list and donate them to the Shelter to directly help the animals and those who care for them. We also have an Amazon wish list that will ship right to us.

The items below are always needed at the Shelter, and can be donated any time we are open:

• Newspapers: For shredding to put in puppy cages, admissions kennels, and puppy suites.
• Cat Litter: We can only use the regular, NON-CLUMPING clay type; any brand is fine. Unscented is best.
• KONG© toys for Dogs: The original “beehive” shape, in red (“Classic”) or black (“Extreme”), in sizes Large, Xtra-Large, or XXL only. Anything smaller (or of a different shape) gets caught in the drains. The dogs love these!
• Towels and Blankets: Old bath towels, hand towels, and small blankets to make beds for sick or injured animals, to help them feel safe and warm, and for drying off after baths.
• Laundry Detergent: Needed for the many loads of laundry we do every day. Detergents that get odor and germs out are the best.
• Hole-free plastic bags: Grocery, newspaper, or other types of smaller bags are perfect for picking up doggy droppings in our outdoor areas. Please check for holes before donating! (The holey ones can go back to the grocery store for recycling.)
• Crunchy dog treats (small sizes): For training the shelter dogs. Milk-Bone or other store brands are good. Homemade are fine, too, using a bland recipe that won’t upset tummies (peanut butter or liver-flavor are favorites). If you make them, please make them “one-bite size.”
• Paper Rolls: Empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls are needed for puppies, cats and kitten toys.
• Misc. Gift Certificates/Cards to: Grocery stores, IKEA, Michaels, Office Depot, Target, local gas stations, restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores. We use these as incentives for staff and volunteers.
• Trash bags
• Paper Towels
• Housetraining pads
• Baby gates and play pens (for foster parents to use)
• Batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D sizes), pens, dry erase markers, and hanging folders
• Dog Bowls: Stainless steel, small, 2 cup size

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY

1. Get a current LICENSE for your dog. Georgia law requires all dogs and cats to be licensed. This means you will need to have your dog or cat that is OVER four months old vaccinated against rabies. Then you send proof of that vaccination to the county office where you live, and they send you a tag for your pet to wear on its collar. This tag tells people that your pet has had its rabies shot, and it tells the county what types of pets you own. This tag is different from an IDENTIFICATION TAG, which is not required by law but is a very important item for your pet to wear.
2. Get an I.D. tag for your dog or cat. This tag will have your pet’s name, your name, your address, your phone number, and possibly your veterinarian’s phone number on it. That way, if your pet ever gets lost, someone can contact you, and you and your pet can be reunited. A pet without an I.D. tag may never find its way home, and if someone finds it, it can’t tell them where it lives!
3. Feed your pet the proper food. Dog food for dogs, cat food for cats, puppy food for puppies…you get the idea. Read books about your pet, and ask your veterinarian to find out what kind of food is best for your pet. Pets should not eat “people food” unless it is recommended by the vet. (For instance, guinea pigs need green leafy vegetables on a regular basis to stay healthy). The best dog and cat food are made of high-quality ingredients and less filler.
4. Your pet should have access to fresh, clean water at all times, especially when the weather is hot! Since pets do not sweat, they can overheat quickly and possibly die. Change your pets’ water at least every 12 hours if it spends lots of time outside, and make sure the water dish stays in a shady area. In the winter, water is still important, and it can freeze in the dish.
5. Exercise your dog or cat EVERY day! It is good for you AND your pet. Play ball with your dog and drag toys for your cat to chase and pounce on. The more time you spend with your pet, the happier he or she will be!