Looking for ways for kids to lend a helping paw to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter? Kids can earn a Humane Hero Award by organizing supply or monetary collections for the shelter or by participating in other fun off-site activities.

Please note that you must be 18 years or older to volunteer at our shelters. For more information on volunteering, visit our webpage.

Crafting items from our suggested list is another great way to contribute while showcasing your creativity. Simply drop off your donations at the front desk and commemorate your efforts by picking up your award!

Below are a few project ideas—download the full list for even more options:

1. Hold a Supply Drive: Collect donations from our wish lists to help shelter pets! Items like toys, leashes, and food are always needed. Check out our wish lists for the shelter, foster program, and Pet Pantry at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/donate.
2. Gift a Gift Card: Have an unused gift card? The shelter can use gift cards to major retailers to buy essential supplies.
3. Spread the Word Online & Offline: Help pets find homes by telling friends, family, and classmates about adoptable animals and shelter events. Follow us on social media, share posts, and tag friends—it takes seconds but makes a big impact! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
4. Promote Pets with Posters or Graphics: Create eye-catching flyers or digital designs for adoptable pets. Pick a pet that needs a home, make a flyer, and ask local businesses if you can post it. Digital designs can also be shared online to boost visibility!
5. Write Letters or Thank-You Notes: Brighten someone's day with a kind note! Write letters to shelter staff, volunteers, or adopters to thank them for caring for animals.
6. Treat the Shelter Staff & Volunteers: Show appreciation by bringing store-bought snacks, coffee, or small self-care items like lotion or lip balm.

While we appreciate homemade gestures, we regret to inform you that we cannot accept homemade animal treats for safety reasons. 

Humane Hero Award

Be sure to pick up a Humane Hero Award to commemorate any achievement you or your community group has accomplished to support the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Just ask the front desk staff at either campus!

Visiting the Shelter

If your child would like to visit the shelter when dropping off donations and picking up a Humane Hero Award, we welcome you to walk throughout the adoption areas at either campus and see all of our adoptable pets. 

If you’re part of a classroom, club, camp, or other children’s group and plan to visit the shelter, consider downloading our FCAS Activity Book and review our helpful suggestions and Group Visit Guidelines below.

Group Visit Guidelines

We provide the following guidelines and suggestions to ensure your visit to the animal shelter is safe and enjoyable for both visitors and the animals:

• Consider Visiting the Lorton Campus: It is newer, bigger, brighter, and better equipped to handle larger groups. Plus, they have catios! Not sure what a catio is? Go there to find out!
• Plan Your Visit: Schedule visits during less busy times to reduce stress on the animals and staff. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are particularly busy, with many adopters visiting.
• Supervision: Ensure a sufficient number of adult supervisors to maintain a safe ratio of children to adults.
• Animal Safety: Supervise interactions closely; absolutely no fingers in small animals’ or dogs’ cages to prevent bites and scratches.
• Group Size: Due to the smaller size of some rooms, break down large groups into smaller ones. Rotate groups through different areas to ensure everyone gets a chance to see everything without overwhelming the animals.
• Respectful Interaction: Teach children to be gentle and calm around animals. Encourage quiet voices and slow movements to avoid startling the animals.