UPDATE
Due to concerns related to COVID-19 in our community, we have made some changes to the process for items being donated in-person at all of our campuses.
We always appreciate the desire to support animal welfare through donations, and the restrictions we place on some donations help us keep our animals safe and manage our staff time.
- Please wash and/or disinfect your donation items before you bring them to us.
- When you drop your items off, we may ask you to put them on a cart to reduce the possibility of transmission.
- If you are donating additional items, please review the list of donation items we are able to accept and make sure that your items are on the list.
Email [email protected] with questions.
Youth Service and Student Projects
Send a photo of your volunteer work in action and we will share it here! Email [email protected].
There are many fun ways for children to help animals at San Diego Humane Society!
Do-It-Yourself Packets
Compassion Challenge
Download the Compassion Challenge and complete acts of kindness. For service hours, submit a photo and description of what activities you completed to [email protected].
Pawsitive Service
Great for groups and school projects! Check out the opportunities below and fill out the request form to tell us how you would like to help get animals adopted, raise funds and share our mission. Parents are welcome to assist with projects as needed, but these opportunities are designed for children. To learn more about ways adults can help, check out our Volunteer Opportunities. College students, please visit our College Student Project and Engagement page for more information.
Junior Philanthropist
Fundraising for items on our wish list or money makes a great impact on the work we do every day. We are happy to support your efforts with animals, messaging, signage, etc. (when possible).
- Supply Drive—Plan a supply drive in your community and we will help you with signage, messaging, etc. We will work together to pick one of our programs for you to support (depending on the needs of the shelter at the time).
- Pennies for Pets—Collect pennies (or any type of cash) at school, at your church, through a sports team or in your neighborhood and donate them to San Diego Humane Society.
- Bake Sale—Conduct a bake sale in your community.
Promote a Pet
Promote a Pet is for children in the 6th grade and up. There are many animals that stay in the shelter a little longer than most, and those are the ones that need your help! We will choose one of our long term animals, and you will help us find the selected pet a loving home by doing the following:
- Furry Flyer Distribution— Distribute customized flyers at local coffee shops, recreation centers, schools, churches, etc. We will provide you with the flyers.
- Social Media Campaign—Share an animal’s story via your social media channels. We can provide you with graphics and messaging or you can share directly from our social media channels.
- Pawsitive Promotion—You will be invited to a San Diego Humane Society adoption event to help us promote the event and the animals that are attending. You will support the event by providing pre-promotion via your social media or distributing flyers; making signs for the day of the event; promoting the animals via social media during and after the event; sharing brochures with guests.
Junior Volunteers
Junior Volunteers (ages 12-17) perform volunteer tasks and socialize our small adoptable animals.
What: Youth ages 12-17 help with various service tasks throughout the shelter as needed and may exercise and socialize our adoptable animals by providing them with valuable enrichment during their shelter stay. This program provides a great opportunity for youth to have hands-on interactions with animals and give back to pets and people in need while earning community service hours.
When: Monthly, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 per child
Registration and Program Dates: 2022 dates are currently on hold until the spring. Please check back soon to register.
For more information about Youth Service Opportunities, email [email protected].
Student Project Requests
Students who would like to complete school projects about San Diego Humane Society may submit a request here. Please submit your request at least two weeks prior to your project due date. We will do our best to accommodate your request but it is not guaranteed. At this time, we do not have any service opportunities onsite. Please refer to the service ideas listed above.
