paw
scouts
Paw Scouts is a program which aims to educate and inspire youth, in their intrinsically curious and compassionate nature, to become active members of the rescue community.
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Through various achievement opportunities, each Scout is invited to provide comfort and care directly to animals, learn about and reflect on the animal rescue and adoption processes, and connect with other like-minded, animal-loving youth. The program is excited to celebrate how each Paw Scout can truly change the lives of animals with their ideas, activities, and creations. As the Paw Scouts program grows, more achievement opportunities and events will be added.
The Paw Scouts program is intended for any and all curious, compassionate youth - having a resident and/or foster animal is not required to participate. There are several achievement opportunities that don’t require an animal in the home. Siblings, friends, neighbors, teams, and classmates are encouraged to work on achievement goals together - rescue work is rarely done alone, after all!
Check out the FAQs below to find more details about Paw Scouts, including how to register. Once the registration form is completed, each new Scout will receive an exclusive backpack. In addition to using the backpack to carry leashes, toys, or other rescue gear, it is also where Scouts can add each pin they earn for completed achievements! Welcome to the pack, future leaders of rescue!
Ready to get started?
achievements
completable without access to an animal:
Read Rescue Tales
Read stories from the recommended list of Paw Scouts Rescue Tales. Earn a certificate for reading 5; earn a pin for reaching a total of 10 books.
Write Rescue Journal
Write and/or draw using the Paw Scouts Rescue Journal Writing Prompts and Worksheets. Earn a certificate for writing 5; earn a pin for reaching a total of 10 journal responses.
Option to send images of your favorite Rescue Journal entries to pawscouts@secondhandhounds.org to be shared on Secondhand Hounds social media!
Make Toys
Make toys for foster animals and donate to the rescue. Earn a certificate for making 5; earn a pin for reaching a total of 10 toys. Toy Ideas: Braided & Square Knot, Crinkle Bottle, 41 DIY Projects for Pets
Make Blankets
Make blankets for foster animals and donate to the rescue. Earn a certificate for making 1; earn a pin for reaching a total of 3 blankets. Tie Blanket Instructions.
Bag Food & Treats
Volunteer to donate and/or bag food and treats at home for foster animals within the rescue. Earn a certificate for volunteering 1; earn a pin for volunteering a total of 3 times.
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to be completed with a resident, foster, or friend's animal (with permission):
Feeding Time
Feed a resident, foster, or a friend’s animal (with permission) for 7 days. Earn a certificate for completing 1; earn a pin for completing a total of 3 times.
Exercise Time
Walk or exercise your resident, foster, or a friend’s animal (with permission) for 7 days. Earn a certificate for completing 1; earn a pin for completing a total of 3 times.
Potty Time
Pick up after and/or scoop the litter box for your resident, foster, or friend’s animal (with permission) for 7 days. Earn a certificate for completing 1; earn a pin for completing a total of 2 times.
Training Time
Attend a SHH training class and/or reinforce positive training methods with your resident or foster animal in your daily routine or during a brief training session for 7 days. Earn a certificate for completing 1; earn a pin for completing a total of 2 times.
Adoption Event
Attend an adoption event (virtual or in-person) with your foster animal. Earn a certificate for attending 1; earn a pin for attending a total of 3 events.
Dog Adoption
Foster a dog until adoption. Earn a pin for each dog you save!
Cat Adoption
Foster a cat until adoption. Earn a pin for each cat you save!
Whelp/Queen a Litter
Whelp or queen a momma animal and her litter. Earn a pin for each family you save!