Are you a parent, kid, tween, or teen looking for ways to join our volunteer and learning community? Check out the unforgettable opportunities we offer below! We have opportunities for families to enjoy together, as well as for individual youth. If you have any questions after reading through our opportunities, email our team at learn@anticruelty.org
Please note that registration for family programs includes up to 3 children and at least one parent/guardian. Accompanying parents/guardians are responsible for their children at all times.
Programs for Families
Crafting for Critters
A monthly ‘crafting for a cause’ event! Help our shelter animals by making a variety of DIY toys, beds, and other special projects. Learn how to sew, knit, and upcycle materials into something new.
- Age Range: All ages (Adults; Families with kids ages 6–17)
- Cost: $5 per family (effective 7/1/2024)
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and registration.
Kids Who Care
A monthly kid-centric event where families engage in our work while learning more about caring for animals and helping those in need! While projects may vary between events, your family’s efforts will make a direct impact on the life of a shelter pet.
- Age Range: Families with kids ages 3–9
- Cost: $5 per family
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and registration.
Reading Buddies
A drop-in reading activity for all! Bring your own book or use one of ours to help pets relax in a busy shelter environment. This activity is best suited for small groups and families of no more than 4 people. This program does not require registration.
- Age range: All Ages (Adults; Families with kids; Small groups)
- Cost: None
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and registration.
Service Projects
Looking for a way to help from home? Check out our list of projects such as: making DIY donations, organizing a wish list drive, and more!
- Age range: All Ages (Adults; Individual youth; Families with kids; Small groups)
- Cost: None
Click here for additional details.
Programs just for YOUth
These are youth programs that do not require an accompanying parent/guardian
Service Projects
Looking for a way to help from home? Check out our list of projects such as: making DIY donations, organizing a wish list drive, and more!
- Age range: All Ages (Adults; Individual youth; Families with kids; Small groups)
- Cost: None
Click here for additional details.
Shelter Service Day
Are you a high-school age animal-enthusiast looking to meet other teens, learn a little about how Anti-Cruelty helps animals in Chicago, and do a little volunteering too? Then this is the program for you! Join us biweekly for our Beginner teen volunteer program to work on entry-level volunteer projects and tasks.
- Age range: High School (Ages 13–18)
- Cost: None
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and registration.
Teens Who Care
If you’ve volunteered with our beginner teen volunteer program, Shelter Service Day, at least 2 times and are looking to take your service to the next level then this is the program for you. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to get messy! Join us seasonally during CPS breaks (Spring, Summer, Winter) for our advanced teen volunteer program. Participation in this limited-admission volunteer program requires application and acceptance process.
- Age Range: High School (ages 13–18)
- Cost: $5 per participant (effective 7/1/2024)
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and application.
Virtual Veterinary Mentoring
If it’s your dream to be a veterinarian one day, then this is the program for you! In partnership with University of Illinois, we offer this career exploration class to high school students looking to learn more about the incredible field of veterinary medicine. Through monthly virtual seminars, learn from veterinarians and professors from a variety of specialties to discover what this career path has in store.
- Age Range: High School (ages 13–18)
- Cost: None
Click here for additional details, upcoming dates, and application.
Q: Why do some of these programs cost money?
A: All of our programs and activities involve an expense for materials, supplies, and staff time. While the fees we charge do not fully cover these expenses, they contribute to our learning team’s operations and help offset some of the costs of providing fun, high quality learning opportunities to the Chicagoland community.
Q: I cannot afford to pay for a program’s cost; can I still participate?
A: Yes! Thanks to generous donations we are able to offer program scholarships. Email our Experiential Learning Team at learn@anticruelty.org to learn more. In your email, include your name, zip code, the program title that you wish to participate in, and a brief explanation of your circumstance. Please title your email with the following subject line: ATTN: Family and Youth Program Scholarship.
Q: I want to sign up for a program or event, but I can’t see any dates! Is the calendar broken?
A: Thank you for your interest in learning and volunteering with us! If you see no available dates when you click to register, it’s possible the registration window has closed, or all available slots are currently full. Email us at learn@anticruelty.org to inquire about upcoming dates.