3 answers
Eliana
Student
Edina, MN
1
Question
Asked
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Where can I find an animal shelter that will allow a 13-year-old to volunteer without a guardian?
I am a former cat owner looking for an animal shelter that will allow me to take care and play with the cats.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Eliana !
If you were to be a volunteer at an Animal Shelter, there are duties you would be assigned and it wouldn't always be socializing the cats or "playing" with them Normally, at a shelter, you'd be assigned to washing dishes, doing laundry, being a greeter for visitors. Volunteers that have lots of experience and training can do more advanced work at shelters. They can clean and feed the animals and also socialize (play) them as well as participate in off site programs like making pet toys or collecting donations or organizing fund raisers. The shelter is going to need people to do certain work. You will need to make direct contact with places and ask if you can volunteer at age 13. That would be the only way you could know for sure.
Even though volunteering means that you are assigned work, you can still get a chance to play with a cat if you decide to get a new cat, so that's one consideration. You can also consider pet sitting only for cats. Sometimes when people go away they need someone to cat sit, feed the cat and maintain the kitty litter. You can also play with whatever cat you're cat sitting. Ask your parents if it's okay if word is spread that you're available for that.
Places like Pet Evolution and Urban Tails in Minneapolis near you do specific skilled services, but you can call them to see if there may be a volunteer opportunity to do work for them.
If you adopt another cat, you and your friends who have cats can ask at school about forming a Pet Therapy program. That is done at nursing homes and pets are brought so the nursing home residents can be around pets. Ask your guidance counselor or teacher who to contact for information if you want to do that. You can do this after school or on the weekends. So keep in mind that you can create your own opportunities.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
If you were to be a volunteer at an Animal Shelter, there are duties you would be assigned and it wouldn't always be socializing the cats or "playing" with them Normally, at a shelter, you'd be assigned to washing dishes, doing laundry, being a greeter for visitors. Volunteers that have lots of experience and training can do more advanced work at shelters. They can clean and feed the animals and also socialize (play) them as well as participate in off site programs like making pet toys or collecting donations or organizing fund raisers. The shelter is going to need people to do certain work. You will need to make direct contact with places and ask if you can volunteer at age 13. That would be the only way you could know for sure.
Even though volunteering means that you are assigned work, you can still get a chance to play with a cat if you decide to get a new cat, so that's one consideration. You can also consider pet sitting only for cats. Sometimes when people go away they need someone to cat sit, feed the cat and maintain the kitty litter. You can also play with whatever cat you're cat sitting. Ask your parents if it's okay if word is spread that you're available for that.
Places like Pet Evolution and Urban Tails in Minneapolis near you do specific skilled services, but you can call them to see if there may be a volunteer opportunity to do work for them.
If you adopt another cat, you and your friends who have cats can ask at school about forming a Pet Therapy program. That is done at nursing homes and pets are brought so the nursing home residents can be around pets. Ask your guidance counselor or teacher who to contact for information if you want to do that. You can do this after school or on the weekends. So keep in mind that you can create your own opportunities.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Eliana,
I don't think an animal shelter will take you on as a volunteer at your age. The age limit is usually 16 or 18. I know, it's disappointing, especially since you have cat experience, but having "kids" as volunteers would be a liability for the organization. There are a few exceptions: some animal shelters have a kids program or a teen program. They are usually more educational programs than volunteer programs though. Some shelters also have "reading to cats" programs. You can check if any of the organizations near you have any programs that suit you.
Another option would be to look for privately organized groups that e.g. feed feral colonies or socialize kittens or bottle-feed kittens. Maybe Facebook can help you find a neighborhood group.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/education/programs-kids-families-and-adults
https://edinamag.com/animal-humane-society-seeks-kids-and-teens-volunteer/
I don't think an animal shelter will take you on as a volunteer at your age. The age limit is usually 16 or 18. I know, it's disappointing, especially since you have cat experience, but having "kids" as volunteers would be a liability for the organization. There are a few exceptions: some animal shelters have a kids program or a teen program. They are usually more educational programs than volunteer programs though. Some shelters also have "reading to cats" programs. You can check if any of the organizations near you have any programs that suit you.
Another option would be to look for privately organized groups that e.g. feed feral colonies or socialize kittens or bottle-feed kittens. Maybe Facebook can help you find a neighborhood group.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1831
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Eliana,
Do you mean without a guardian to accompany you as you work, or, without a guardian signing a consent form? Because the consent form is pretty much a standard way of doing business. Regardless of what tasks you are assigned, there's always a chance you could get hurt.
As to whether the guardian would have to be present, I think there might be some wiggle room on that. Look towards the smaller shelters, who might not get as many volunteers as the larger ones. Also see if you could get a couple of letters of recommendation from neighbors/teachers talking about your level of maturity and willingness to accept responsibility. That would also help. Shelters are concerned younger volunteers would engage in horseplay or otherwise misbehave.
Hopefully if you can show that you are not the "typical" 13 year old they would be more happy to have you!
Hope this helps
Kim
Do you mean without a guardian to accompany you as you work, or, without a guardian signing a consent form? Because the consent form is pretty much a standard way of doing business. Regardless of what tasks you are assigned, there's always a chance you could get hurt.
As to whether the guardian would have to be present, I think there might be some wiggle room on that. Look towards the smaller shelters, who might not get as many volunteers as the larger ones. Also see if you could get a couple of letters of recommendation from neighbors/teachers talking about your level of maturity and willingness to accept responsibility. That would also help. Shelters are concerned younger volunteers would engage in horseplay or otherwise misbehave.
Hopefully if you can show that you are not the "typical" 13 year old they would be more happy to have you!
Hope this helps
Kim