Well I hope I've given you so good tips on how to get your children involved with animals! It really is a great way to teach them some valuable life's lessons and where there's love; well, anything is possible!

Here are some hands on ideas and some links to great places for more information. Don't just sit there, the animals need you. Go volunteer! Just do it!

Do You Have What It Takes To Rescue Animals?

A realistic look into the world of an animal rescuer.

Author:  Dottie Schira
Dog Rescue Web Site http://members.nbci.com/dogs2rescue
email  Dottie@doglover.com

Ideas & Links

3-6 year olds This is the age to start teaching children how to handle companion animals. Talk to them about the importance of moving slowly and speaking in a 'quiet, animal friendly voice'. Show them the proper way to greet, touch and hold an animal.

Have them color or paint pictures of their favorite animals. Frame them and donate them to your local shelter or rescue agency to hang on their walls. :)

Gather old tea, hand and bath towels to donate to the shelters/humane orgs.

Read stories about animals and their caretakers. Stories about baby animals are big favorites!

7-12 year olds Kids this age are usually able to handle a little more animal responsibility. Care and feeding of the family companions can be added to their list of daily chores. Or just ask them to spend 15 to 20 minutes a day playing with your animals. The animals LOVE this!

Visit the Homeless Homer page and have them ask friends, family and neighbors to save coupons or the proof of purchase labels to give to your local shelter.

If they are involved in an activity such as scouting or other such program, encourage them to suggest that the group to hold a 'donation drive' for your shelters or humane groups. Dog washes are a big favorite here!

Begin to encourage them to read more (you may want to review these sites for appropriate content before allowing your children to view them) about animal welfare and to form their own opinions and ethics on this subject. Not everyone sees eye to eye on these issues. Discuss them with your children, you might be surprised and pleased with their insights.

Always enough kittens to go around here!

13 and up Now we are getting into the age group that can truly make a difference! There are many ways teenagers can help animals. Volunteering is great. But even more important is to encourage them to express the opinions they hold and to help teach others compassion. Every time they volunteer, every time they stand against abuse and neglect, every time they express compassion for a living creature they set an example for others to follow. Isn't that what it's really all about?

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