Animal Advocates

Junior and Senior Animal Advocates (formerly known as Half Day Helpers and Junior Volunteers) are hands-on educational programs for students. On select days off from school, students spend three hours at AWS seeing first-hand how they can help animals. Led by AWS' Youth Programs coordinator, Animal Advocates spend time with animals, participate in activities to support their care, and earn how to understand animals and advocate for them.

Because AWS' animal population and organizational needs change on a regular basis, activities, each session of Animal Advocates is unique. Activities vary and could take place in the Adoption Center, the Youth Programs classroom, or even outside. Common tasks could include making enrichment activities for dogs, cleaning or organizing cat toys or laying out clean bedding for rabbits and small animals. No matter what activities the students work on, they are making a difference for pets.

Sessions are offered on a limited basis only. Please sign up your children for the appropriate program, based on grade level:

• • Junior Animal Advocates (Grades 2-5)
  • Senior Animal Advocates (Grades 6-8)

Senior Animal Advocate sessions count towards student community service hour requirements. However, because sessions are limited and fill-up quickly, students seeking community service hours are encouraged to check out our At-Home Project Guide for other ways to help, right from home!

AWS Youth Programs follow the RSU21 (Kennebunk) school calendar. If there is a snow day or if the district shifts to remote learning, AWS programs will not take place in-person.