Youth Activity Archive

Activity Description: Information on how to find an appropriate location for an Animal Shelter visit or tour with a youth group.

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Contact Timing:

Animal shelters experience high volume and operational stress during “Kitten Season” and major holidays. Avoid late spring and summer months (peak intake) and the weeks surrounding December holidays (high adoption/foster turnover). Try for Mid-winter (January–February) or early autumn (September–October) for scheduling visits.

Mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) are optimal visit days. Weekends are typically reserved for high-traffic public adoptions and are rarely suitable for group tours.

Resources:

• Municipal Animal Control Agencies: Contact the local city or county animal control office. While often under-resourced, municipal shelters are government-run and frequently have established protocols for public interaction and “Junior Volunteer” programs. Search “[Desired City/County] Animal Control” or go to the official city website and look for “Animal Services” or “Animal Care and Control” department.
• State Departments of Agriculture: In many states, animal shelters and rescues are licensed and inspected by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Health. Licensed facilities are subject to state-mandated safety and sanitation standards. Search “[Desired State] Department of Agriculture animal shelter list” or “[Desired State] animal shelter inspection reports.”
• Petfinder/Adopt-a-Pet: Use the Shelter & Rescue Search tools. Filter for “Shelters” rather than “Rescues,” as physical shelters are more likely to have the infrastructure (classrooms, restrooms, public areas) required for a youth group.
• SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty): SPCAs are independent organizations. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) does not oversee or maintain a master list of local SPCAs, as they are not chapters of a national parent organization. Because SPCAs are 501(c)(3) organizations, they must be registered with their respective states. Search “[Desired State] Secretary of State Charity” to find the official legal name and contact address for registered SPCA in that state.

Other Resources:

• Local Veterinary Medical Associations (VMA): Search [State or City] Veterinary Medical Association. These professional groups often partner with specific shelters for medical care and can recommend facilities that maintain high clinical standards.
• Pet Retail Partners: Ask any local pet store if they have an “Adoption Coordinator.” Petco Adoption Coordinators often work with local animal rescue groups to manage in-store adoption programs and events and may know have information on a location to tour. PetSmart may have a local Adoption Center.
• The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement: Search their member directory for professionals who hold the CAWA (Certified Animal Welfare Administrator) credential, indicating high-level administrative standards. A separate search on each individual would be needed to learn if they are local.
• Shelter Animals Count (SAC): This is the national database for animal sheltering statistics. Use their Explore the Data tool to identify local “Full Participation” shelters. These organizations prioritize transparency and data reporting.

Targeted Search Terms:

• Use City, County, or State first, then delete to widen the search if nothing appears.
• Use “Animal Shelter” for facilities with physical buildings. Use “Humane Society” or “SPCA” for organizations that often have dedicated education departments.
• Try searching “[Scout/School Organization] Animal Shelter [Field Trip/Badge/Tour]”.
• Other Key words: “Educational Animal Shelter Tour”, “Animal Adoption Event”.

Verification and Contact Protocol

Once you identify a location, ensure it meets standards.

• What is the minimum age for facility access and hands-on interaction? Many shelters have strict 16+ or 18+ rules for animal contact due to insurance. Confirm if younger youth can enter the kennel areas or if they are restricted to a classroom.
• What liability coverage do you have for visiting youth groups? Ensure the facility has general liability insurance that covers non-volunteer visitors. Ask if a specific “Waiver of Liability” is required for minors.
• Do you have a dedicated “Humane Educator” or volunteer coordinator on staff? A facility with a staff member assigned to education is more likely to provide a structured, age-appropriate lesson rather than a generic walkthrough.
• What are your rabies and safety protocols for group visits? Ask if youth will be restricted from “Red Coded” or “Bite Quarantine” areas. A reputable shelter will have clear signage and strict “no-touch” policies for certain animal populations.

Inquiry Letter

When making first contact, provide specific info to ensure the request received correctly.

Subject: Inquiry: Educational Tour Request for [Organization Name] – [Date Range]

“I am contacting you on behalf of [Youth Organization] to request information regarding an educational tour or humane education presentation.

• Group Size: [Number] youth and [Number] adults.
• Age Range: [Ages, e.g., 10–12 years old].
• Objective: [e.g., Completing requirements for a Badge / Learning about animal welfare careers].
• Availability: We are looking for a mid-week visit during the month of [Month].

Please provide your current group visit policies, liability waiver requirements, and any associated fees.”

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Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Meeting : 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! Pt. 3.” My.girlscouts.org, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., https://my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.html. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
• Takahama, Valerie, et al. How to Guide Girl Scout Daisies through 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2010. p. 56.

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