Shelter Squad

Hands-On Animal Shelter Experience for Teens

Shelter Squad is a new youth volunteer program at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) designed for teens ages 13–15 who want real, meaningful experience helping animals in a professional shelter environment.

This supervised program introduces young animal lovers to the day-to-day operations of an animal shelter while allowing them to contribute in age-appropriate, impactful ways. Teens work alongside AWLA staff to support animal care, enrichment, and shelter operations—building responsibility, empathy, and practical skills while making a difference for animals in need.

What Teens Do in Shelter Squad

Participants in Shelter Squad gain hands-on experience in real volunteer roles, including:

Providing enrichment activities for dogs, cats, and small animals
Preparing supplies and organizing animal care areas
Assisting with cleaning kennels and animal spaces
Supporting shelter staff with daily tasks that directly benefit animals

All activities are fully supervised by AWLA staff, ensuring a safe, educational, and positive experience for every participant.

Who Can Join

Ages: 13–15
Experience Level: No prior volunteer experience required
Group Size: Each session is limited to 4 participants to ensure personalized instruction and safety

This program is ideal for teens who love animals, are curious about animal care or shelter work, or want meaningful community service experience.

Program Fee

$50 for the first session (includes an official Shelter Squad T-shirt)
$30 for each additional session

Your initial registration includes a Shelter Squad T-shirt that teens will wear during the program. Subsequent sessions are offered at a reduced rate.

Please note: Due to limited capacity, no refunds are available for cancellations.

Registration & Scheduling

Registration opens two weeks before each session date.

Upcoming Registration Dates

January 30 session: Opens January 16 at 12:00 PM
March 20 session: Opens March 6 at 12:00 PM
April 13 session: Opens March 20 at 12:00 PM

Waitlist

Each Shelter Squad session has very limited availability. If a session is full, families may join the waitlist.

Join the Shelter Squad Waitlist

Important Policies

Limited Capacity: Only 4 teens per session
Cancellations: No refunds are granted for cancellations
Supervision: All activities are guided by AWLA staff for safety and learning