Hands-On Animal Shelter Experience for Teens
Shelter Squad is the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s (AWLA) premier youth program, designed for teens ages 13–15 who want meaningful, hands-on experience helping animals in a professional shelter environment.
Through this program, young animal lovers participate in the day-to-day operations of an animal shelter through age-appropriate activities. 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: 4 participants per session
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.
Contact Us
For questions about Shelter Squad or another youth program, please contact:
Madi Radford
Youth Programs Coordinator
youthprograms@awla.org
