Broward Humane Society adoptable dogs

Teens can make a BIG difference in the lives of homeless animals and the Humane Society of Broward County wants to invite you to join our mission. We offer several fun ways for teens to earn Service Learning Hours for school:

Student Donation Drives for Service Hours

Any student is welcome to do a donation drive or a Personal Campaign to earn service hours. Please see the Student Donation Drive Packet or Student Personal Campaign Packet for more information.

Teen Adoption Ambassador

Teens can earn their required high school community service hours by partnering with a parent and becoming a Teen Adoption Ambassador. The shelter’s Adoption Ambassador Program is similar to foster care… but goes a step further. Adoption Ambassadors will provide temporary homes for select dogs, which will be spayed or neutered and given their preliminary vaccinations before arriving in their temporary homes. (All food and supplies needed to care for the dog are provided to you.) But unlike foster families, Ambassadors will help maximize their dogs’ availability and exposure to potential adopters by putting a bright orange “Adopt Me” vest on the dog while walking them in parks and other pet-friendly, highly visible public venues.

As a Teen Ambassador, you will earn three hours for every day the dog is at your home. In addition, you can earn hours for walking your Ambassador Dog in public with their “Adopt Me” vest on; making and hanging signs; promoting your dog through social media; and making phone calls and sending emails to let people know you have a loving dog that needs a home!

Once they have found the perfect home for their dog, Ambassadors will process the paperwork and present the adopting family with their new loving companion. As a further reward, they’ll know that as a result of their efforts, the dog will not have to spend another day at the shelter. For more information contact 954.266.6814. Phone calls are accepted from a parent or guardian only please. Families must complete one successful adoption experience before school service hours can start to be accumulated.

Teen Education Junior Counselor

Teens aged 14-17 are needed to assist with our kids programs, including our kids club, camps, birthday parties, and special events. Many of the opportunities are in the evenings, on weekends, and on days in which Broward public schools are out. Junior Counselors MUST be friendly and outgoing, and MUST enjoy interacting with children. Activities Junior Counselors might assist with include: helping to facilitate games, crafts, and other activities, animal handling, and set-up and break down of events. Prospective Junior Counselors must attend an orientation with a parent. There is a annual membership fee that includes a t-shirt. For more information, please contact Darlene Feldman at 954.266.6848 or dfeldman@hsbroward.com.

Teen Volunteer Program

HSBC offers a structured volunteer program for teens 14-17 years of age. Teen volunteers help us care for the animals for a period of three months with weekly, three-hour shifts. Teens have the opportunity to earn up to 36 Service Learning Hours. At the end of the three month session, teen volunteers exit the program. Orientations and sessions are available throughout the year on a first come first serve basis. For more information, please call 954.266.6814.

The Teen Club

The Teen Club, open to teens 14 and older, meets once or more each month at HSBC to do special projects and events that help homeless pets. Teen Club members may also have an opportunity to earn additional volunteer hours by helping with our camps, birthday parties, and other activities.

The “Mitzvah Mutts” Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project Program

The “Mitzvah Mutts” Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project Program is an opportunity for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah student to fulfill their project requirements by volunteering their time, energy, and creativity to learn about and help homeless animals. After completion of the activity booklet, the student will be permitted to volunteer for 2 hours once a month (on designated Thursdays). Student is required to participate in the program for a minimum of four months before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Activities include but are not limited to: Pet toy drives, educational activities and interaction with the shelter pets. There is a $25 registration fee, which includes a shirt. For more information, please contact Darlene Feldman at 954.266.6848 or dfeldman@hsbroward.com.

Helping Hounds

Middle school students aged 11 through 13 have an opportunity to earn Service Learning Hours while learning about and helping animals through the Helping Hounds program. During each weekly meeting, students will learn lessons, receive training, perform services that benefit the shelter, and work hands-on with animals. At the end of the eight weeks, students will have earned 24 Service Learning Hours and will receive a letter to document their volunteer service as well as a certificate of completion. Students must attend seven of the eight meetings in order to complete the program. (Students who only attend seven meetings will receive documentation for 21 hours.) The cost to join the program is $25, which will help cover the cost of supplies. For more information please contact Carrie Neff at 954.266.6822 or cneff@hsbroward.com.