Teen Programs

Service Days

JHS regularly holds Middle and High School Service Days for students in need of volunteer hours (or who are simply passionate about helping pets!).

During our service days, participants complete a variety of service projects benefiting JHS while learning about animal sheltering, what dogs and cats go through while living in a shelter environment, and how we can help make their experiences as happy, healthy, and stress-free as possible.

All participants are awarded 4 community service hours at the end of each service day, and a pizza lunch is provided. A $35 donation is required to register. This donation helps cover the cost of project supplies.

Upcoming Middle School Service Days:

Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 11am-3pm

Theme: The Five Freedoms

Middle school students in grades 6-8 are invited to join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a day of learning and service at the Jacksonville Humane Society!

Participants will learn about animal sheltering, the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, and how we implement the Five Freedoms to make sure the pets of JHS stay happy and healthy during their stay before they’re adopted.

Service projects may include:
– creating enrichment items for the pets at JHS such as dog treats, food puzzles, cat toys, and more
– making kitten e-collars for after surgery
– making heating pads for neonatal kittens and surgery patients
– reading to the pets to help them feel more relaxed in their kennels

We may even meet a new furry friend or two!

All participants will be awarded 4 community service hours at the end of the day. A pizza lunch is included.

Sold out – join the waitlist.

Upcoming High School Service Days:

Our next High School Service Day will take place in December. Please check back for registration later in the year.

Compassion Club

Compassion Club is a new volunteer program for dedicated students ages 13-15 based around four themes of compassion: Empathy & Understanding, Collaboration & Community, Comfort & Care, and Generosity & Action. Each session will also focus on different departments at JHS, helping students explore career pathways in the field of animal welfare. Participants complete a group research project with the goal to benefit the lives of animals and improve animal welfare in Jacksonville. Participants will practice varying animal welfare skills, such as socialization, enrichment, and pet promotion, while implementing social-emotional skills to discover what compassion entails and how we can exercise it with pets, people and our community around us.

Program Details:

  • This program is offered during fall and winter, and includes five weekly club meetings for each cohort
  • Club meetings are from 10am-12pm on Saturdays (attendance at all meetings is mandatory)
  • Attendance at Compassion Club Orientation is mandatory
  • Completion of the program grants the participant a community service certificate for 15 hours
  • The program fee is $100 per participant

Graduation Requirements:

  • 2-5 minute group presentation
  • Attendance at all club meetings
  • Completion of a pre- and post-survey
  • Completion of service projects

2026 Program Dates:

Session 1 – Fall 2026

  • Orientation: Wednesday, August 13
  • Saturday, August 15
  • Saturday, August 22
  • Saturday, August 29
  • Saturday, September 5
  • Saturday, September 12

Session 2 – Winter 2026

  • Orientation: Friday, November 13
  • Saturday, November 14
  • Saturday, November 21
  • Saturday, November 28
  • Saturday, December 5
  • Saturday, December 12

Applications for Session 1 (Fall 2026) are now closed. Applicants for Session 1 will be notified of their acceptance status by July 17.

Applications for Session 2 must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, October 2, 2026. Applicants for Session 2 will be notified of their acceptance status by October 16.

For more information, contact the Education Department:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 904.493.4588

Submit your Compassion Club application now!

HS Service Day Group Photo

For more information, contact the Education Department:

Email: [email protected] • Phone: 904.493.4588

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