Angel's Wish, Inc.

Time and Location

Angel's Wish Pet Adoption and Resource Center

None are currently scheduled

Classes are held Sunday evenings, approximately monthly. Class sizes
are limited, so register in advance! For more information and to find
out when the next youth class is, send us an e-mail message, and
include the number of people interested in attending. We would be
delighted to have you!

Details

This session is designed for youth ages 10-18 years and includes information about:

Angel's Wish, the foster program, and the adoption process
Basic feline handling and care
Feeding
Pet toys
Litter box training
Volunteering at Angel's Wish adoption events
Other volunteer opportunities

What do kids do?

Participate in adoption events as groomers and socializers.
Adoption center cleaning (litter boxes, adoption rooms, laundry, etc.).
Preparing condos for adoption events.
Preparing newsletters and pamphlets for distribution.
Stocking retail shelves and pricing merchandise.
Sorting food for foster homes, adoption packets, and public handouts.
Fostering animals awaiting rehoming.

Volunteering with animals is fun, but there is real work to do! Most kids work at weekend adoption events with our cats available for adoption. If you don't want to clean litter boxes, help clean cages, sweep floors, do laundry, or any of the other work that helps keep our pets healthy and comfortable, then volunteering with us isn't for you.

Are there requirements?

Yes, to be a youth volunteer you must:

Be between the ages of 10 - 18
Submit a Youth Volunteer Application
Have written permission from your parent or guardian
Complete Youth Volunteer Basic Training (1 hour)
Fill out and submit a Youth Volunteer Log Sheet.

There is no cost for the program, but we do encourage volunteers to become members of Angel's Wish and to wear an Angel's Wish shirt when they work.

How often do kids work?

Sign up to work 2 - 3 hour shifts at adoption and other special events on days that work into your family's schedule.

I'd like to have our whole family involved. Is that possible?

Of course! Many families work together to help Angel's Wish. Some work together to provide a temporary home for Angel's Wish' animals while they are waiting to be adopted. Others take the Youth Volunteer Basic training together, whether they plan to volunteer regularly or not. It's a great source of information about basic animal care for all ages.

Why do I need to take a class?

The homeless animals you meet at adoption events are a little different from your pets. Some have been mistreated, some have never been in a cage before. Most will be frightened by all the new sights, sounds, and smells and they can be unpredictable. The Youth Volunteer Basic Training includes an introduction to Angel's Wish and volunteer opportunities, animal handling, adoption procedures, basic animal care (trimming claws, brushing, feeding, litter box care), and kitten proofing.

But I'm Just a Kid…How can I help animals?

There are more animals needing adoption than there are homes. Kids can make a big difference! Not sure what to do? Here are some ways you and your friends can help homeless animals.

At school

Make your next report or presentation for your class about the pet overpopulation problem, responsible pet care, spaying/neutering, or animal abuse.
Ask your teacher if your class can do a letter-writing project about animal-related topics. Write letters to your local and state government officials and the newspapers. Make a bulletin board and display responses so other students can see them.
Create a puppet show for your school about responsible pet care. Find out if you can present it for an assembly.
Volunteer to help younger students with their reading. Help them read stories about people helping animals.
Teenagers can visit HumaneTeen for ideas about teaching younger kids about animals.
Start an animal club at your school!
Make a bulletin board about overpopulation, spay/neuter, adoption, or other pet care topic.
Tell your teacher about KIND News, a classroom newsletter for kids kindergarten through 6th grade.
Ask your librarian to select books about animals to be displayed during Be Kind to Animals Week. It's always the first full week in May.
Arrange for speakers to come to your school. Ask animal professionals to speak to your class, youth group, or school about their work. Some possible speakers include humane educators, animal control officers, veterinarians, museum curators, zoo educators, or wildlife rehabilitators.
Express your appreciation and love of animals and nature through art. Paint a picture or create a collage of what pet's need to remain healthy and happy, Sculpt your favorite animal out of clay. Create a mural of a habitat for a wall inside your school.

With a group

Have a penny war, hold a bake sale, car wash, yard sale, or other fundraiser to benefit homeless animals.
Collect used cell phones and printer cartridges...Angel's Wish can recycle them and get money to help animals.
Start a donation drive for supplies…food, toys and whatever else your local animal organization needs.
Participate in the Dog Jog! Held every September, you and your family (with or without a dog) can walk in Dog Jog and raise money for many groups caring for animals in Southeast Wisconsin. Watch angelswish.org for updates in August.

On your own or with a friend

Do you know an elderly person? Someone sick who has a pet? Volunteer to help feed, walk or bathe their dog, or change kitty litter. Your help may allow them to keep their pet rather than have to find it new home.
If you feel strongly about an issue or event affecting animals, write a letter to the newspaper expressing your views. Kid's views are important! Your words can make adults think and act!
Make posters for the neighborhood about taking care of animals, spaying and neutering, adopting older animals, and everything that is involved in taking care of a pet. Angel's Wish has posters ready if you want to hang some. Ask permission to put them up in stores, veterinarians' offices, or on community bulletin boards.
If you know somebody who wants a pet, tell them about
adopting from a shelter or rescue. Even people in other areas can check on Petfinder.com for animals in their area.
Having a birthday party? Ask your friends and family to bring a present for a homeless animal instead of for you.
Save a penny a day and donate the money to help homeless animals when you fill your container.
Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on your dog or cat at all times. Spay or neuter your pet. Keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. Give your pets the basics–food, water, shelter, veterinary care and lots of love.
Save a life. Adopt your next pet from an animal shelter or rescue.
Learn more about animals. There are some great books at your local library!
If your family shops at Pick ‘n Save, ask your parents to go to the service counter and apply for a Pick ‘n Save Advantage card. If they write in Angel's Wish's number (028750), every time you go grocery shopping some of the money will go to Angel's Wish!

Help Spread the Word

Get a FREE temporary tattoo and a bookmark from Petfinder.com; help spread the word about homeless pets. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (a long, business-sized one) to:

Mark Me

Petfinder.com

P.O. Box 193

Pluckemin NJ 07978

Visit Angel's Wish

Whether you can volunteer or not, take the Angel's Wish Youth Volunteer Basic Training to learn sound basics of animal care. Check our events page to see if there is an upcoming class.

If your youth group would like to visit us at Angel’s Wish, please Contact Us for more information.

Programs vary in length from 30 minutes to 2 hours and include age appropriate content. Most programs include handling live animals. Adult supervisors and Youth Visitor permission slips and waivers are required.

Youth Volunteer Basic Training Class