Youth Service and Student Projects
There are many fun ways for children to help animals at San Diego Humane Society! For college students, please visit our College Student Project and Engagement page for more information.
We can provide service verification letters or complete school forms for any of the service opportunities below.
Send a photo of your volunteer work in action and we will share it here! Email [email protected].
Family Volunteer Day
Time: Drop-in between 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: San Diego Campus, Loomis Auditorium, 5500 Gaines St. San Diego 92110
Registration Required: Submit one registration form per family
Families with children under 16 can volunteer at the shelter all while spending quality time together making a difference for animals.
During the event, several project stations will be set up that families can rotate through, including making doggy meatballs, bunny hay burritos, creating toys and puzzles for the kittens, etc. The full rotation of service projects will take each family about 30 minutes to complete and at the end every volunteer will earn a volunteer sticker.
Attendees also have the opportunity to sign up for our fifteen-minute guided tour and a chance to meet some of our Canine Ambassador volunteers.
Do-It-Yourself Packets
Download our DIY packets and make enrichment items at home! If you require signed hours verification, please fill out the second page of the packet and bring it with you when dropping off the enrichment items. Any San Diego Humane Society staff member can sign the DIY service log for up to 15 hours each month.
Foster Care
Temporarily care for pets in your home! This family service opportunity helps pets in need by bringing them into your home for a few days or a few weeks — it is up to you! Training and supplies provided. Main caregiver must be 18 or older. Earn three service hours per day/per foster pet. Visit the Foster page to learn more and apply.
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].
Junior Philanthropist
Fundraising for money or items on our wish list 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.
Junior Petfluencer
Junior Petfluencer is for children in 6th grade and up who have parent approval to share on their social media channels. There are many animals that stay in the shelter a little longer than most, and those are the ones that need your help! You can help pets find homes by sharing their stories on social media or neighborhood forums. Click here for more details on how you can help!
Student Project Requests
Thank you for your interest in learning more about San Diego Humane Society for your project! Before submitting a request form, please read the following:
- Animal interactions are not available for student projects.
- If your project requires information about our organization, please review our website for answers first before submitting a request.
Onsite Service Opportunities: At this time, we do not have service opportunities onsite. Kids 14 and older can learn more and apply to become a regular onsite volunteer on our volunteer page.
Filming or Video:
You may visit any of our campuses (El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside or San Diego) during business hours (Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6p.m.). You are welcome to film in any of the public areas. Please ask any staff or volunteers for permission before filming them.
Statistics or Data:
Please review our annual Impact Reports where all of our Asilomar Statistics can be found. The Asilomar Statistics detail intake numbers, Return to Owner (RTO), Adoptions and Humane Euthanasia (HE). You can also find national Animal Welfare Statistics on the Best Friends website.
Staff Interview:
If you would like to speak with a staff member for your project, please fill out the Interview Request Form. Please submit the request form at least two weeks prior to your project due date to give staff time to respond.
