Start a Youth Animal Protection Club

Do you think the talents of young people can go a long way toward helping animals, but you’re unsure of how to get kids and teens together for the cause? A youth animal protection club is the perfect forum for young people who want to make a difference. Club members will learn leadership, organizational and communication skills, as well as improved planning and time management. The tips below will help animal care and control organizations harness the energy, enthusiasm, and wide range of skills of young people.

Teachers: See our tips for forming a school-based group.

Step One:  Location, Location
Step Two: Save the Date
Step Three:  Limit Your Size…But Not Your Success!
Step Four: Recruit
Step Five: Application Basics
Step Six:  Meet & Greet

Step One:  Location, Location
Decide on a place where you can hold club meetings. If your organization does not have an education room or other public space, consider asking a related organization that does, libraries, churches, community centers, or schools. 

Step Two: Save the Date
Decide on the frequency and time of your club meetings. Try to avoid times that may compete with extracurricular student activities. Keep in mind that if meetings are scheduled too frequently there may only be a small turnout at each one. If not enough meetings are scheduled members may lose enthusiasm.  Try to strike the perfect balance. Most shelter-based youth clubs meet anywhere from once weekly to once monthly. 

Step Three:  Limit Your Size…But Not Your Success!Decide on the number of club members that your organization can accommodate. There are several factors to base the number on, including staffing, club activities, size of meeting space, and age of children. For example, if you plan to do events and direct animal care with teens and have only one staff member to supervise, you will want to keep your club small (under 10 members). Clubs can range up to 30 members with proper supervision. A guideline many schools follow for events and field trips is to have one adult per 8-10 teens. Once your club is up and running, you can always add more members. The older members will help to teach the new members.

Step Four: Recruit
If you already have many young people who are looking for a way to be active, you may not have to recruit.  If you do have to recruit members some great ways to start are by advertising at schools with fliers, announcements, or advertisements in the school newspaper. Consider asking school guidance counselors, student council groups, and PTA’s about what students may be interested in, or would benefit from, being in an animal protection club.

In addition place fliers at community centers, libraries, churches, and local businesses. An additional way to recruit is by contacting local newspapers and local cable channels.  Many have a community events section in which they advertise non-profit groups for free.  Consider holding an informational meeting for prospective members.

Step Five: Application Basics
In order to choose the most dedicated club members or in the event that you receive more interest than club openings be prepared to give each interested person an application. The application should include:
*A letter explaining purpose of club and what membership entails.
*Applicant requirements, e.g. age, attendance expectations, fee (if any), pick-up policy
*Name, parent(s) name and contact info
*Age, grade, school
*Parent’s signature granting permission/ liability waiver
*Space for students to explain why they wish to join your club. 

In addition to the written application, you may wish to interview applicants to gain a better understanding of their personal dedication and to ensure they understand all requirements.  

Example applications from Oregon Humane Society

Step Six:  Meet & Greet
The first meeting is a time for introductions and orientation/training.

If your club is shelter based, it is a good time to review appropriate behavior and dress in the shelter environment, to take a shelter tour, and to discuss basic handling and safety around animals.

In the meetings thereafter your club can utilize the following agenda:

1. Animal news You and club members share recent happenings in the animal kingdom, such as a news story about an animal protection issue. This is a great opportunity for members to share concerns, get questions answered, and celebrate victories.

            2.  Animal care (if applicable) If meetings are held at an animal shelter, you will have a hard time keeping young people away from the four-legged! This is an aspect of club meetings that kids will naturally look forward to--and they can be very good at many aspects of direct care. The club members could be assigned a duty before the meeting begins (to cut down on disagreements or trading), and should have received clear instructions before completing the task. This portion of the club meeting should have an assigned time limit and be sure to have sufficient staff on hand to supervise.

            3.  Education

     a. Speakers As a club advisor, you do not have to do all of the talking at each meeting! Club members will appreciate visits from trainers, groomers, veterinarians, animal lobbyists, wildlife rehabilitators, or another staff person from your organization who would like to share an area of expertise.

     b. Club members as speakers Club members can be a valuable source of training for other members. Members can be assigned to research an animal- related topic and present the issue and let other club members what they can do to help.

                      c. Discuss and do activities from humane
                  education materials There are a wide  
                  variety of youth education materials from  
                  national groups. Below is a sampling of 
                  Humane Society Youth's offerings. Use the
                  links below to find age-appropriate activities
                  for your club.

      Study and Activity Guides for Teens:
      Humane Society Youth’s study and activity guides 
      explore the issues and include critical-thinking
      questions and ideas for independent study.

      KIND News: Humane Society Youth's award-
      winning classroom newspaper is aligned with 
      National Education Standards for the major subject
      areas across the curriculum. The articles, short
      stories, activities, and projects in KIND News teach
      children the importance of treating people, animals,
      and the environment with kindness and respect.
 

  4. Club Activity Suggestions             
  Service Projects

          Fundraising: From organizing bake sales to meeting with potential donors, young people can be very effective fundraisers. See our Speak-Up Guide for tips for kids and teens.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Young people are great at spreading the word, especially when it involves technology. Our Speak Up Guides have tips.

            Mission: Humane Projects: Mission: Humane is designed to get young people working on the most important issues affecting animals today. The projects offer a range of animal protection activities with fun rewards.

            Lobbying: On the local, state, or federal levels, your club members can do letter-writing campaigns. See our Speak-Up Guide for tips for kids and teens!

            Service-Learning: Learn about this trend in education and find activity ideas to benefit your organization.

Don’t forget to include refreshments at the meeting. If your club meets after school there is a good chance your members will arrive hungry. Snack preparation can be one task that is shared by the club members.  Below are a few kid-friendly vegetarian snack recipes:
brownies
spice cake
banana nut balls
fruit sushi
peanut butter bumps

Once your club is established, have fun! Don’t miss opportunities to utilize the talents of club members and get them involved in your programs. Whether you need to kick-start a new project or want a fresh perspective on an old issue, seek the help of your organization’s new youth ambassadors!