Justin
Humane Society of Greater Miami · Miami, FL
A laid-back senior with plenty of personality.
Help JustinStarted by an 8-year-old who loves animals
Kids can help shelter animals too.
My son Krystian didn't want to just feel sad about animals waiting in shelters. So we started Kids for Paws at home. Now kids write letters, draw pictures, make short videos, and run donation drives that help shelter animals get noticed and get what they need.
Kids Helping Paws. Paws Helping Kids.
Here's how it works
- 1Pick a shelter dog. Choose one from our Paws or your local shelter's adoption page.
- 2Make something for them. A letter, a drawing, or a 20-second video in the dog's voice.
- 3A grown-up helps you share it. We send it to the shelter and cheer when the dog finds a home.
Made for kids. Guided by grown-ups.
No child accountsNo direct messagingNo public kid profilesGrown-ups guide every step
A letter for Willow ♥
Help Jumbotron get seen
Jumbotron is a silly, lovable guy who's a little shy at first and loves toys, especially balls. He's waiting at Montgomery County Animal Services in Derwood, Maryland. Write him a letter, draw his portrait, or share his video with a grown-up.
Happy Tails
It's working.
When kids help a Paw get seen, good things happen. Here are two of our favorite updates.
"A kid wrote him a letter. Then his future family read it."Adoption updates are confirmed by each animal's shelter or rescue.
Why Krystian started Kids for Paws
Watch Krystian explain why he started Kids for Paws, and how other kids can help too.
Start with one Paw
Meet the Paws
Watch their Voice for Paws stories, then pick one to help. Always check each animal's shelter listing for current availability.
Zara
Smoky Mountain Humane Society · Newport, TN
Smart, energetic, and ready to show off her tricks.
Help Zara
Ole Red
Sevier County Humane Society · Sevierville, TN
Ole Red is back at the shelter and needs a new family. Help him get a second chance.
Help Ole RedWrite. Create. Speak. Serve.
Pick a way to help
Start with what a shelter or rescue needs, then choose the way that fits your kid. A grown-up helps with every step.
A letter for Willow ♥
WRITE
Pen Pals for Paws™
Pick a shelter animal, draw them, and write a Dear Future Family letter in their voice.
Write for a Paw →
Kids' art for shelter pets
CREATE
Art for Paws™
Make art that helps an animal get noticed, or shows others how they can help.
Create for a Paw →
Giving a shelter dog a voice.
SPEAK
Voice for Paws™
Learn an animal's personality and story, then tell it in their voice.
Be a voice for a Paw →Small acts, big help
SERVE
Shelter Service Projects
Ask a shelter what it needs, then plan a supply drive or donation drive around it.
Take action →Learning with purpose
What if schoolwork could help an animal?
Kids for Paws missions turn writing, art, speaking, and service into something that helps a shelter animal. Schools, homeschool families, Scouts, and youth groups can ask about a small pilot.
Writing → storytellingDrawing → connectionArt → visibilityResearch → understandingSpeaking → advocacyService → action
Letters for shelter pets
Learning with a Paw
Cub Scouts helping PawsFor parents and group leaders
Questions grown-ups ask
Short answers to the things parents and leaders ask us most.
How can kids help shelter animals from home?
With a grown-up, children can write a letter for a shelter animal, create a portrait, or record a short story using verified animal facts. Start with one Paw and check how the shelter or rescue can use the finished work.
Choose a first activity →Does my child need to visit an animal shelter?
No. Pen Pals for Paws, Art for Paws, and Voice for Paws can begin at home or in a classroom with adult guidance. Shelter visits and in-person volunteering have their own age rules and arrangements, which a grown-up must check directly.
Explore Shelter Missions →Can schools, homeschool families, and Scouts take part?
Yes. An educator, parent, or group leader can ask about a small Shelter Missions pilot. Writing, art, speaking, and service activities start with a shelter or rescue need, with adults coordinating the work and sharing.
Ask about a school or group pilot →Does Kids for Paws handle pet adoptions?
No. Kids for Paws helps children support and share the stories of shelter and rescue animals. The organization caring for each animal confirms availability and handles adoption and foster inquiries. A featured animal is not proof of a formal partnership.
Meet the Paws and find their listings →How will you join in?
There's a place for you here
Kids + families
Find a way to help an animal today.
Start with Pen Pals →Schools + groupsTurn learning and service into something that helps.
Explore group missions →Shelters + rescuesGive young animal lovers good ways to support your animals.
Explore the partner pilot →Sponsors + supportersHelp shelters, youth groups, and missions get what they need.
Explore sponsorship →Start with Pen Pals
One Paw. One letter.
Download the free Family Kit and help a shelter animal get seen tonight. No experience needed, just a love for animals.
Krystian with a Pen Pals letter