Ways Kids Can Help

Organize a Fundraiser
Since Rancho Coastal Humane Society relies on private donations to operate the Shelter, money is always a welcomed gift! Organize a fund-raiser at your school or in your neighborhood, and donate the money you raise to RCHS. It’s easy to get started.  Follow these simple steps.

1. Pick a Fundraiser you want to plan:
2. Have a bake sale or lemonade stand
3. Organize a dog or car wash
4. Have a dog treat sale
5. Organize a dog walk/run event
6. Organize a yard sale
7. Organize a read-a-thon. (Ask people you know to donate money for each page or each book you and your friends read.)
8. Make flyers to promote the fundraiser
9. Hand out the flyers in your neighborhood, local stores, your church, or at your school, etc.
10. Tell people you know that you are doing a fundraiser and get them involved (family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc.)
11. Remember to say “Thank You!” to those who helped you.
12. Remember to always ask permission from parents and teachers before starting any fundraising event.  Always work with friends and be safe!

Recycling
Collect any type of recyclable items (aluminum, glass, plastic, printer ink cartridges, etc.) which can then be turned in for money to be donated to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. If your school or group is already involved in a recycling program, perhaps you could choose a specific month or two to donate funds to the Shelter. How about May? Its first week is officially designated as "Be Kind To Animals Week."

Wish List
Collect items from our wish list and donate them to the shelter to directly help the animals.

Coin Drive
Hold a coin drive with a clever name such as Pennies for Pets, Dimes for Dogs or Cash for Cats.  Place canisters (with your teacher’s permission) in your classroom to collect money for the animals. 

Birthday Parties
Birthdays only come once a year, so it's important to make sure they are special.  Celebrate your birthday at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. We have three different birthday packages to choose from.  You can also choose to ask your friends to bring donations for RCHS to your birthday party instead of bringing gifts.  It's a great way to help the animals and have a memorable and meaningful birthday party.

Be A Responsible Pet Owner
One of the biggest ways in which kids can help is by being responsible pet owners!  Spay and neuter your pets – this will cut down on pet over-population and the amount of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats that go to shelters every single day.  Take proper care of your pet. Feed them healthy food, take them to the vet and be sure to treat them like they are part of the family.

Spread the Word
Consider doing your next research paper, speech in class or article in your school newspaper about an animal-related topic. There are many animal welfare issues that deserve discussion such as spay/neuter, responsible animal care, humane treatment of wildlife, wildlife habitat and treating all animals with respect and kindness. There are lots of books, websites and magazines devoted to the subject. Promote an adoptable pet every week or month in your classroom or on a local community board in a store.  Post a picture of one of our animals that we have available for adoption at our shelter. 

Sponsor a Pet
Use your fundraising money to sponsor a pet in need. For as little as $15.00 per week or $50.00 per month, you can help us house, feed, and care for a homeless animal. In return we will keep you updated on "your" chosen animal, and if she or he finds a home during your sponsorship, you will hear the happy news from us! Visit our sponsorship page on our website for more information. 

Be sure to check out our Children’s Spotlight page to see all the kids that have helped us recently.  Thank you for supporting the programs and animals of Rancho Coastal Humane Society.