Kids for PawsGet the free kit

Kids for Paws missions

Write. Create. Speak. Serve.

Pick a shelter animal with a grown-up. Then pick how you want to help. Every mission helps a Paw get noticed or get what they need.

WRITEI like to writePen Pals for Paws™CREATEI like to drawArt for Paws™SPEAKI like to talkVoice for Paws™SERVEI like to helpService projects
Krystian showing his Pen Pals for Paws mission
Krystian's first mission

Not sure? Start with Pen Pals. It's the easiest first mission.

Shelter Dog Month challenge stamp

Every October

The October Shelter Dog Challenge for Kids

One shelter dog each week, with a new mission each week.

Week 1: Black Dog MissionsWeek 2: Second ChancesWeek 3: Local HeroesWeek 4: Pit Bull Missions
Join the challenge →
A child's letter and drawing for Duke
Duke
A child's letter and drawing for Mr. Krabs
Mr. Krabs
A child's letter and drawing for Captain
Captain

01 · WRITE

Pen Pals for Paws™

Draw a shelter animal, then write a Dear Future Family™ letter in their voice.

About 20–30 minutesPaper and crayonsGreat first mission
  1. Pick an animal from Meet the Paws or a shelter's official listing.
  2. Draw what makes them special.
  3. Write their letter. A grown-up sends it.
Start Pen Pals →Get the free letter page
Kids' art for shelter pets
Art for Paws

02 · CREATE

Art for Paws™

Make a portrait or poster that helps people stop and look at a shelter animal.

About 20–30 minutesAny art suppliesNo writing needed
  1. Pick an animal or a kindness message.
  2. Draw, paint, or make a poster.
  3. A grown-up asks the shelter how they can use it.
Start Art for Paws →Get the free art page
Krystian recording a shelter dog's story on a phone while looking at the dog's photo on a laptop.
Recording a Voice for Paws story

03 · SPEAK

Voice for Paws™

Read the animal's story out loud, in their voice. It's voice only, so no faces are needed.

20 seconds or lessA grown-up's phoneVoice only
  1. Learn the animal's facts from their listing.
  2. Write a short script and practice it.
  3. A grown-up records it and emails it to hello@kidsforpaws.com.
Start Voice for Paws →Get the free recording sheet
SHELTER WISH LIST

old towels
dog toys
peanut butter
cat litter

Always ask the shelter first. Every shelter needs different things.

04 · SERVE

Shelter service projects

Collect supplies or make thank-you cards, based on what a shelter says it needs.

A day to a few weeksGreat for groupsCounts as service hours
  1. A grown-up asks a shelter what it needs.
  2. Plan a small drive or a card-making day.
  3. Drop it off together and celebrate.
Start a service project →
Cub Scouts holding their Kids for Paws missions outdoors
Cub Scouts helping Paws

Classes, Scouts & clubs

Doing this with a group?

Our free Group Leader Kit has a 45-minute plan, a sign-in sheet, a service log, Cub Scout and Girl Scout guides, and a group certificate.

Get the Group Leader Kit →

For grown-ups

Kid-made. Grown-up guided.

Facts only from official listingsFirst names onlyNo child accountsA grown-up sends everything