Humane Education › Youth Volunteer & Service Projects
Youth Volunteer & Service Projects
Kids under 14 can make a real difference for shelter animals!
About the Program
Regular HSMC volunteer opportunities begin at age 14, but younger animal lovers don't have to wait to start making a difference.
Our Youth Volunteer & Service Projects program gives children and young teens the opportunity to support the Humane Society of Marion County through approved community-service and humane-education projects.
Youth participants can help collect needed supplies, create approved enrichment items, organize fundraisers, spread awareness, and more — all while learning about compassion, responsibility, leadership, and animal welfare.
Participation in this program does not make a youth participant an HSMC shelter volunteer and does not provide automatic access to shelter animals or animal-handling activities.
Who Can Participate?
Under Age 10
May participate in parent/guardian-led or organized group projects that have been approved by HSMC.
Ages 10–13
May participate in approved individual service projects with parent/guardian consent and required adult supervision.
Age 14+
May apply for HSMC's regular volunteer program and must meet the applicable volunteer requirements. We do not make exceptions to the minimum age requirement for regular shelter volunteering.
What Can I Do?
Youth service projects should directly support HSMC's mission and the animals in our care.
Supply Drives
Collect items from the HSMC wish list at your school, youth group, neighborhood, church, business, or community organization. HSMC can provide a current wish list, mission information, an HSMC logo for approved materials, and an authorization letter when appropriate.
Fundraisers
Organize a fundraiser to support homeless animals and the HSMC mission. Examples include school fundraisers, lemonade or bake sales, donation campaigns, online fundraising, and community fundraising events. All fundraising using the HSMC name or logo must be approved in advance.
Donation Collections
Organize a collection of approved supplies or monetary donations. Collections may take place at schools, youth organizations, businesses, community events, or other approved locations.
Pet Toys & Enrichment
Create approved toys or enrichment items that help shelter animals stay comfortable, mentally stimulated, and engaged. Please contact HSMC before making large quantities of homemade toys, treats, or other animal products so we can confirm the materials and project are appropriate and safe.
Humane Education & Awareness
Help educate your school or community about responsible pet ownership, spaying and neutering, adoption, microchipping, pet safety, animal welfare, and the importance of helping homeless animals.
Group Service Projects
Schools, Scout groups, youth organizations, churches, clubs, and other organized groups may request an approved youth service project. The adult leader is responsible for coordinating and supervising participating youth.
How to Earn & Verify Service Hours
The process is simple — follow these six steps.
Choose a Project
Think about how you would like to help animals in your community.
Submit Your Project
Complete the Youth Service Project information and obtain parent/guardian consent.
Get Approval
HSMC reviews the project before you begin. We may approve it, request changes, or suggest alternatives.
Complete Your Service
Keep track of your activities and hours in a Youth Service Hours & Project Journal as you work.
Submit Your Journal
Have the required adult verification completed and submit your service log to HSMC.
Receive Documentation
HSMC can provide verification of the approved service hours completed for school, Bright Futures, Scouts, and more.
Schools, scholarship programs, Bright Futures, Scout organizations, and other programs may have their own rules about what qualifies as community service. HSMC can verify the service completed through our program, but the organization or school receiving the documentation determines whether those hours meet its requirements.
Activities Not Included
Because the safety of both youth and animals is our priority, Youth Volunteer & Service Projects do not automatically include animal handling. Youth participants under 14 may not independently:
- Walk or handle shelter dogs or cats
- Clean animal kennels
- Administer medications or provide medical care
- Transport shelter animals
- Handle animals identified as aggressive, fearful, sick, injured, or quarantined
- Enter restricted shelter areas
- Perform maintenance or hazardous tasks
- Conduct an activity representing HSMC without prior approval
Animal interaction is only permitted when specifically arranged and authorized by HSMC as part of an approved activity.
Parent/Guardian Involvement
A parent or legal guardian must provide consent before a child participates in the program.
For individual projects, the parent/guardian is responsible for providing the required supervision unless HSMC has specifically arranged another approved adult supervisor.
HSMC staff are not available to provide ongoing individual childcare or supervision for youth service projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to see the answer.
Ready to Make a Difference?
You may be too young to volunteer directly at the shelter — but you are never too young to help save lives.
Start by choosing a project, getting your parent's permission, and contacting HSMC for approval.
Youth Volunteer & Service Project Questions
Kirstin Tanner
Shelter Administrative Coordinator
📞352-873-7387 ext. 204✉️[email protected]