Volunteering for a 6 year old?

Question

I have a six year old daughter and I am wanting her to do some volunteering of some kind...Most likely with animals because she always wanting another animal. We have two cats and she does minimal work for them she will feed them but she keeps wanting more and more animals...I want her to understand that animals deserve respect and take allot of money and time to care for... I have been researching different places, zoo, rescue shelters the humane society but most of the places require you to be at least 16 yrs old...I planned on doing this with her too so there would be a legal gardian present and it would be fun to do it together...I was hoping we could help with kennel cleaning and other things similar..


Any ideas??

Tampa, Florida

Answer 1

I'm not sure if many places would accept a 6 yr old~ too much red tape even with a Mum involved~ Her best bit for this and being active in the community is the girl guides or scouts, there she will do volunteering in many ways.
Perhaps she could become a dog walker or pet washer with your assistance?If she really wanted to do something with animals~ Perhaps a free wash with every walk? To incorporate the volunteer part?

Answer 2

At assisted living facilities. My daughter's school had an adopt a grandparent club. They wrote to the seniors and went to visit them on a regular basis. Also a food pantry to help put away the groceries that are given to them. The humane Society is also a great place if she likes pets. The ASPCA is a good source of information and a lot of volunteer opportunities. I know what it is like to have a lot of pets and , yes, it is difficult. I have 27 rescue pets at my house right now. I take them in when someone doesn't want them or they go into a nursing home. I have 7 cats, 10 birds, 1 turtle, a hedgehog, a chinchilla, 2 degus, 4 rabbits and fish. The fish only count as one. I had the neighborhood kids helping bottle feed some abandoned guinea pigs and helping me clean their cages. They eventually took 2 of them home because the whole family was so attached to them. But it is a lot of work. Everyone has a specific schedule for cleaning and feeding and playing with. Too bad you don't live near me in Massachusetts.

Answer 3

Take her to your local animal shelter. They usually let kids under 13 volunteer too, but there has to be a parent. I work at the AAR in Texas, and I take care of the dogs and cats and clean their cages and wash dishes forhtem. I also have to walk them and socialize them. Its a lot of work but very rewarding. That is probably what most animal shelters do. Good luck!

Answer 4

In general 6 years is young for a facility. A lot of places require the child be 16 for insurance purposes (guardian or not). I am a volunteer with a non profit wildlife rehab group, and we require that children be at least 16 to do general tasks and 18 to work with the animals. This has to do with our permitting and our insurance. Our group however, is strict when it comes to age because we deal with wildlife, children tent to want to caudal the animals and we have to keep them wild, not to mention it is a heath and safety hazard for children. I am sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

Answer 5

I dont think there is anyplace a child that young can volunteer, simply because its a liability. Of course she wants more pets, she thinks they are cute, and probably doesnt totally understand what goes into caring for them. Just encourage her to help with the pets you have.. feeding, scooping litter, brushing them.. even let her help pick out toys and food for them, and also have her go with you when you take them to the vet for shots.

Children learn alot by watching. You can organize a collection drive.. and let her help your sort out the things that are going to the shelter, and then have her ride with you when you drop the items off. Shelters ussually have a wish list.. newspapers, food, litter, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc.

If she asks for more pets, and you arent ready, just tell her "maybe in a few years"

Answer 6

There are other activities that are more appropriate for a 6 year old.

Call around and see if you can get her horse back riding lessons, or take a dog obedience course with one of your pets.

Maybe re-directing her attention to some other activity will be good for her. Consider a sport, like Soccer, or Little League.
Music lessons
Dance lessons
Crafts/painting activities/lessons.
"Play dates" with friends who have pets for her to play with.
Libraries offer lots of activities for kids her age, and plenty of books with more to do.

Larger cities have a "Parks and Recreation" department that have all sorts of things for families to do, and inexpensive lessons of all kinds.
City websites have a tourist center. You can find activities in your area.

Answer 7

We do a lot of dog agility trials and are always looking for volunteers to set jump bars, fluff chutes, run leashes and stuff like that. Google agility groups in your area and ask about volunteering at a trial.

Good job teaching her about volunteering!

Answer 8

try contacting a kennel in your area and see if they will let you "help" some so that she can learn. That, and having to learn that she cant have "everything" she wants just because she wants it is one of the age old experience ordeals.

Answer 9

one of the reasons she would not get a job is because their public liability insurances would not cover cover them if she had any sort of accident