Summer Youth Activities

Lina DeAngelis, 8, drawing pet portraits to raise funds for WCHS: Whimsical pet portraits raise money, awareness for local animal shelter

Youth are the future of animal welfare, and we are lucky to have so many empathic, socially-minded, and driven-to-act youths that call Windham County their home.

This year, Windham County Humane Society has been the beneficiary of some remarkable socially-minded youths who created clever events to raise money for shelter animals. From creative pet portraits to pet food drives, the combined efforts from our community kids this year fed dozens of dogs and cats and provided veterinary care for animals in need. They have inspired us to keep generating ideas for ways kids can help make a difference in the lives of our local animals.

Is your kiddo looking for something fun to do this summer? Do they love animals and want to do their part to support the shelter pets? We’re excited to announce three new Summer Youth Activities they can participate in:

Whether your child prefers artistic tasks or full-blown fundraising, take a look at the following activities to add some philanthropic fun to this year’s summer vacation!

Brown Bags for Happy Cats – June 15 to July 15

 
 

Being in a shelter is stressful for animals, no matter how great the care is. It isn’t home. It can feel like being at the hospital.

The shelter cats would love their very own brown bags to hide in, sleep in, and enjoy. But what cat wants a plain brown bag? Will your artistic little one donate their talents to decorating a paper bag for a shelter kitty?

Why provide paper bags? Well, it turns out that:

  • when kitties aren’t feeling well and are over-stressed, they like to hide

  • having a bag to hide in has proven to lower their stress hormones

  • if they sneeze in the bag the icky stuff is contained and there is less spread of any disease to surrounding kitties

We need 30 kids who will decorate 60+ bags from June 15th to July 15th.  Bags will be available in packs of two at the shelter until they run out.

How to participate:

  • Stop by the shelter Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm to pick up bundles of 2 paper bags plus an information sheet.

  • Take the bags home and decorate however you want. We only ask that nothing is glued on that can become a choking hazard. Coloring, stickers, and painting are all fine.

  • Write your name on the bag.  Return the bags to the shelter no later than 4 pm on July 15, 2022, to have your kid’s name placed into a drawing for a WCHS youth T-shirt.

  • When you return the bags, please return a completed information sheet that came with your bags so we can enter your kids in the drawing (and thank you!).

  • We will then give the shelter cats the beautifully decorated bags to help them get and stay well.

  • Remember to take photos of your family decorating the bags and post them to our Facebook page! 

Change to Change a Pet’s Life – 31-day Challenge 

 
 

Starting July 1, 2022, Windham County Humane Society is seeking the assistance of our community’s youth to collect a total of $1000 in change in 31 days! There is no minimum age to participate.  Parents are encouraged to work with their kids to help them learn the value of the money they collect.  For example:

$5 = 2 meals for a dog or cat
$20 = 2 vaccines for a dog or cat
$50 = 1 dog or cat veterinary visit plus parasite treatment

It takes a ton of pennies (it could literally be a ton) to make sure each homeless dog, cat or bunny receives the care they need to become well enough to be adopted into their new loving homes.

How to participate:

  • Collect coins from July 1 to July 31.

  • Bring your collected coins to the shelter on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday between 12 pm and 4 pm.

  • Fill out a Total Collected Form with the amount collected, your name, and contact information. Leave the form with a staff member at the front desk.

  • Dump the coins into the huge Coin Bin. 

  • Get photos depositing your loot and post it on social media (don’t forget to tag us!)

On August 1 we will count the coins. The top 3 fundraisers will receive a token prize. 

And if we have their photo, we will post them on our website highlighting their outstanding work.

If we can raise $1000 the dogs get a pool party and the cats get some cosmic catnip. A little summertime love and comfort! 

Tips for collecting change:

  1. Return bottles for $.05, 

  2. Look around your house and in the pockets of old clothes,

  3. Tell your friends and family what you are doing and ask them to give you their loose change

  4. July 4th is a great time to collect cans!

  5. Know someone with a metal detector? Take it for a stroll in an area where you’re allowed to dig for treasure!

Change is all around us. Be part of our lifesaving work and help us find loving homes for precious puppies and kitties. 

CAN You Help? – August 1-31

 
 

Every few days the Pet Food Pantry runs out of the wet dog and cat food.  This year has been especially difficult for us to keep wet cat food stocked. During the Can You Help? wet pet food drive we are asking families to collect and donate cans of wet dog and cat food.  

Tips for Collecting a lot of cans of wet pet food:

  1. Set a Goal, maybe 15 or 30 cans.

  2. Share what you are doing on social media.

  3. Place a note along with a donation bag on the doorstep of your neighbors asking for their help.

  4. Ask your friends to help you collect cans of pet food.

  5. Consider if you can place a donation bin out at your church or at a summer camp.

How to participate:

  • Bring all collected cans to Windham County Animal Shelter on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday between 12 pm and 4 pm.

  • Snap a photo of yourself when you leave your donation.

  • Complete the form so we can thank you!