Pasadena Humane

1. Is this Program Currently Accepting Volunteers? Yes! Humane Education programs and services have resumed and are currently in need of volunteer help. 2. Program Description and Goals The Humane Education Program at Pasadena Humane is designed to inspire compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals through engaging educational experiences. By teaching children, teens, and adults about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the role of shelters in the community, we aim to create a more humane and informed society. Through hands-on learning opportunities and community outreach, the program connects people with animals and provides essential knowledge to foster a lifelong commitment to animal welfare. 🐾 Promote Compassion & Empathy – Instill kindness and respect for all animals through positive, interactive experiences. 🐾 Teach Responsible Pet Ownership – Educate the community about proper pet care, spaying/neutering, and lifelong commitment to animals. 🐾 Encourage Advocacy & Volunteerism – Inspire participants to take action by adopting, fostering, volunteering, or advocating for animal welfare. 🐾 Support Safety & Bite Prevention Education – Provide knowledge on safe interactions with animals to reduce fear and prevent injuries. 🐾 Raise Awareness of Shelter & Adoption Services – Help the community understand the shelter’s role in animal rescue and adoption. 🐾 Engage Youth in Animal Welfare Careers – Introduce students to potential careers in veterinary medicine, shelter work, and humane education. 3. How Does this Program Help the Shelter? The Humane Education Program plays a crucial role in supporting the shelter’s mission by fostering a more informed and compassionate community. Here’s how it benefits the shelter: 🐾 Reduces Pet Surrenders – By educating the public on responsible pet ownership, common reasons for pet relinquishment (such as behavioral issues or lack of training) can be prevented. 🐾 Promotes Adoptions – Increasing awareness of shelter animals and their needs helps potential adopters make informed and lasting adoption decisions. 🐾 Increases Volunteer & Foster Recruitment – Inspires community members, especially students and families, to get involved as volunteers or foster caregivers. 🐾 Enhances Public Support & Advocacy – Encourages people to advocate for animal welfare, support shelter initiatives, and engage in fundraising efforts. 🐾 Reduces Safety Risks & Promotes Positive Interactions – Bite prevention and safe animal handling education decrease the likelihood of injuries, improving interactions between people and pets. 🐾 Encourages Future Animal Welfare Careers – Engaging youth in humane education helps inspire the next generation of veterinarians, shelter professionals, and animal advocates. 4. Position Outline Depending on the program or activity, Humane Education volunteers will assist staff members plan and facilitate curriculum and lesson plans. Typical shift length is 2.5 hours and run on weekday afternoons and weekend mornings. The typical age range for the students in these program ranges from 7-14. 5. Skills & Requirements 📚 Strong Communication & Public Speaking – Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences, including children, teens, and adults. 📚 Passion for Animal Welfare & Education – Enthusiastic about teaching humane values and responsible pet care. 📚 Patience & Adaptability – Ability to work with different age groups and adjust presentations as needed. 📚 Interpersonal & Teamwork Skills – Works well with shelter staff, volunteers, educators, and the public. 📚 Organizational Skills – Helps plan, set up, and facilitate educational activities, presentations, and outreach events. 📚 Comfort with Animals – Ability to safely handle and present shelter animals when needed for educational demonstrations. ✅ Age Requirement – 15 years of age and up. ✅ Completion of Training & Orientation – Must attend training sessions on humane education topics, shelter policies, and presentation techniques. ✅ Commitment to Scheduled Events – Availability to participate in school visits, community outreach, shelter tours, or educational workshops. ✅ Background Check (if applicable) – Volunteers over the age of 18 are first required to complete a background check. 6. How to Get Involved If you are 18 or over, please first reach out to the Volunteer Services department, volunteer@pasadenahumane.org, to request a LiveScan background check. Once completed and verified by the Volunteer Services department, volunteers may begin to look at the project page for upcoming shifts and reserve their spots. When arriving for your shift, sign in at the Volunteer Services office, and then proceed to the Humane Education Classroom (2nd floor of Building 6 on the Map: https://shorturl.at/QdnRg). Please text (214) 551-7639 when you arrive for your shift if no one is in the Volunteer Office. 7. Benefits to Volunteers Volunteering in the Humane Education Program at Pasadena Humane offers a meaningful way to inspire compassion for animals while gaining valuable personal and professional skills. 📚 Make a Lasting Impact – Help educate children and adults on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. 📚 Develop Public Speaking & Teaching Skills – Gain experience in presenting to diverse audiences. 📚 Enhance Communication & Leadership Abilities – Improve confidence in leading discussions and engaging with the community. 📚 Work Hands-On with Animals – Opportunities to assist in live demonstrations and showcase shelter pets. 📚 Experience Emotional Fulfillment – See firsthand how education changes perceptions and leads to better outcomes for animals. 🎓 Gain Experience in Humane Education & Outreach – Great for those interested in careers in teaching, animal welfare, or nonprofit work. 🎓 Earn Community Service Hours – Fulfills school or workplace volunteer requirements. 🎓 Build a Stronger Resume – Demonstrates teamwork, leadership, and advocacy skills for future job opportunities. 🎓 Networking & Mentorship Opportunities – Connect with shelter professionals, educators, and fellow animal advocates. 🐾 Recognition & Appreciation – Volunteer appreciation events, certificates of achievement, and potential awards. 🐾 Contribute to Pasadena Humane’s Mission – Be a part of an organization dedicated to creating a more compassionate community for animals and people.