Caring for animals starts with learning respect for animals.
One of the roles of a parent is to teach our children responsibility. One of the most basic ways to do this is to teach children about taking care of animals. From basic low-maintenance animals like fish and guinea pigs to more active pets such as dogs or horses, teaching them provide the basic necessities: food, water and attention, creates a solid foundation for respect for animals and learning even more ways for them to help animals beyond household pets.
Start at Home
A simple way to teach children pet responsibility and what they can do to help animals is by teaching them love, respect and care for the animals within your own home. Teach children that all animals need proper care and attention. Children can help to make sure that the pets at home always have fresh water and food available. Dog safety starts with keeping your dog fenced in or on a leash. Teach children that animals should never be hit, kicked or pushed around. Be a good role model and model good behavior so your children can see the bond you have with your own pets.
Volunteering
Many humane societies look for volunteers to help them care for the overwhelming amount of homeless pets. Some shelters hold adoption festivals at local stores and parks. Older children make good volunteers at these activities and can help walk the pets and help prospective adoptive parents with the animals. Kids can also feed and water the pets at these events as well. Your child can even help by donating food or pet toys to your local humane society.
Raise Funds
Children can take an entrepreneurial approach to helping animals by raising funds. Perhaps your child can advertise and promote a lemonade stand by marking all the proceeds as being donated to the local humane society (check with the humane society first before using their name). Have your children run a lemonade stand or bake sale along with a family yard or garage sale. Have kids get their families and friends involved in donating to local pet food banks or shelters. Kids might also start by suggesting that their parents and other relatives donate to the humane society annually. Many wildlife organizations have "adoption kits" where you can send money that will go towards a specific animal. Your child will learn about good citizenship through adopting a wild animal.
Keep Animals Safe
Kids can help keep animals safe by learning what environmental hazards can cause harm to animals. Children can make sure that harmful chemicals are not kept or used near pets. If your child is playing outdoors and finds a stray animal, he can alert you and you can contact the local shelter. The animal may have simply gotten lost and its family may likely be worried and searching. Kids can also make sure that animals are safe by bringing pets indoors during very cold or stormy weather.
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