Do you love animals?
Join the Joplin Humane Society’s Shelter Pals and spend quality time reading to adoptable pets!
At the Joplin Humane Society, our story began in back 1948, while many things have changed over the years our love for pets has not. In 2019, we began a new program here at the shelter: Shelter Pals Reading Program.
The Shelter Pals Reading Program is a mutually beneficial experience designed to help shy, anxious pets feel more comfortable around people by having kids read to them. We want to encourage pets to approach the front of the kennel when visitors and potential adopters are present, instead of cowering in the corner. Pets that approach the front of the kennel get adopted more quickly, thus reducing the average length of stay.
For our young volunteers, the Shelter Pals Reading Program helps foster compassion and empathy, while providing a supportive environment in which to develop their reading skills. In addition, the program allows kids to make a positive impact on the world by helping animals in need.
Shelter Pals Training Events are a fun training session where our Shelter Pal Readers and their parent/guardian learn the ins and outs of the program, hear a fun story while enjoying a light snack, then read to the shelter pets.
The Joplin Humane Society (JHS) recognizes the public health risk the COVID-19 poses, and we are taking preventive steps to help protect our volunteers, SP Readers, staff, and their family. Social Distancing and Face Coverings are strongly encouraged. Thank you for your continued support.
Register for the Shelter Pals Training Event!
Preregistration required: Limited space available.
WHO: Kids ages 6 – 15
WHERE: Joplin Humane Society, Education Room
140 Emperor Lane, Joplin, MO
COST: $10 per child and can be paid at the shelter or over the phone prior to training event.
WHEN: Shelter Pals Training Events
Print Your Shelter Pals Reading Program Application Here
Kiss the Puppies Goodnight
Welcoming back all the kids who have been through the Shelter Pals Reading Program!!! You get to come out for a special night, read to the dogs again, and wish them sweet dreams! You get to read to the cats too!
We provide the blankets, books, treats for the animals AND for the kids! You just need to show up and get ready to have some fun while helping socialize the animals. (you can bring your favorite books too)
WHO: Kids ages 6 – 15 who have completed Shelter Pals Training
WHERE: Joplin Humane Society, Education Room
140 Emperor Lane, Joplin, MO
When: Kiss the Puppies Goodnight Events are the 3rd Monday of each month. RSVP Required.
For more information about the Shelter Pals Reading Program contact Lex Evelhaoch, Community Outreach Coordinator at 417-623-3642 ext 120 or by emailing levelhaoch@joplinhumane.org
Shelter Pals Updates for January:
Join the Shelter Pals reading program and participate in our Kiss the Puppies Goodnight event! We’re doing our New Years goals! Whether or not you’re attending a training event or attending KPG; click the link below to print off the color sheet. Bring it with you when you attend and we will display them in the lobby for everyone to see! CLICK TO PRINT
Join the Joplin Humane Society’s Shelter Pals and spend quality time reading to adoptable pets!
At the Joplin Humane Society, our story began in back 1948, while many things have changed over the years our love for pets has not. In 2019, we began a new program here at the shelter: Shelter Pals Reading Program.
The Shelter Pals Reading Program is a mutually beneficial experience designed to help shy, anxious pets feel more comfortable around people by having kids read to them. We want to encourage pets to approach the front of the kennel when visitors and potential adopters are present, instead of cowering in the corner. Pets that approach the front of the kennel get adopted more quickly, thus reducing the average length of stay.
For our young volunteers, the Shelter Pals Reading Program helps foster compassion and empathy, while providing a supportive environment in which to develop their reading skills. In addition, the program allows kids to make a positive impact on the world by helping animals in need.
Shelter Pals Training Events are a fun training session where our Shelter Pal Readers and their parent/guardian learn the ins and outs of the program, hear a fun story while enjoying a light snack, then read to the shelter pets.
The Joplin Humane Society (JHS) recognizes the public health risk the COVID-19 poses, and we are taking preventive steps to help protect our volunteers, SP Readers, staff, and their family. Social Distancing and Face Coverings are strongly encouraged. Thank you for your continued support.
Register for the Shelter Pals Training Event!
Preregistration required: Limited space available.
WHO: Kids ages 6 – 15
WHERE: Joplin Humane Society, Education Room
140 Emperor Lane, Joplin, MO
COST: $10 per child and can be paid at the shelter or over the phone prior to training event.
WHEN: Shelter Pals Training Events
Print Your Shelter Pals Reading Program Application Here
Kiss the Puppies Goodnight
Welcoming back all the kids who have been through the Shelter Pals Reading Program!!! You get to come out for a special night, read to the dogs again, and wish them sweet dreams! You get to read to the cats too!
We provide the blankets, books, treats for the animals AND for the kids! You just need to show up and get ready to have some fun while helping socialize the animals. (you can bring your favorite books too)
WHO: Kids ages 6 – 15 who have completed Shelter Pals Training
WHERE: Joplin Humane Society, Education Room
140 Emperor Lane, Joplin, MO
When: Kiss the Puppies Goodnight Events are the 3rd Monday of each month. RSVP Required.
For more information about the Shelter Pals Reading Program contact Lex Evelhaoch, Community Outreach Coordinator at 417-623-3642 ext 120 or by emailing levelhaoch@joplinhumane.org
Shelter Pals Updates for January:
Join the Shelter Pals reading program and participate in our Kiss the Puppies Goodnight event! We’re doing our New Years goals! Whether or not you’re attending a training event or attending KPG; click the link below to print off the color sheet. Bring it with you when you attend and we will display them in the lobby for everyone to see! CLICK TO PRINT
