Junior Animal Advocates
“I will be kind, responsible, and respectful. I will help animals, protect wildlife, and make a positive difference in my community.”
The junior Animal Advocates Program empowers youth to become compassionate leaders through education, hands-on learning, and community service. We promote kindness, animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and wildlife conservation while inspiring young people to make a positive impact.
For further details, please contact the Animal Services officer, Stephanie O'Neil at 954-973-6758.
Junior Animal Advocates Activities and Topics
- Animal Safety & Emergency Preparedness - Pet first Aid, Emergency Kits, Heat Safety and Hurricane Preparedness, Bite Prevention and Safe interactions with Animals, what to do if you find an Injured, Stray, or Neglected Animal.
- Responsible Pet Ownership - Responsible Pet Care, Vaccinations, Rabies Prevention, Identification, Microchips and Reuniting lost Pets. Leash laws and Animals at large.
- Animal Behavior - Understanding Dog and Animal body language. Practicing safe Approaches to Pets Mock investigations: "What's wrong with this picture?"
- Wildlife & Community Awareness - Wildlife coexistence, Why Feeding Wildlife attracts Raccoons and Coyotes. Florida Snakes: Venomous vs. Non-Venomous, how Animal Services helps the community, and what are City ordinances and why they matter.
- Hands-On Activities - Shelter donation drives, Meet K-9 officers and Demonstrations, Bring a photo of your pet to share, Learn about shelters and wildlife rehabilitation.
- Community & Career Exploration - Helping Animals in your community, Careers involving Animals, Becoming a Junior Animal Advocate
Program Guides
- Empower the next generation of Coconut Creek to protect animals, inspire kindness, and create a lasting positive change in our community.
- Promote Compassion, Empathy, and Humane treatment of all animals.
- Encourage responsible pet ownership, including proper care, nutrition, identification, veterinary care, and training.
- Educate on Florida Wildlife, Conservation, and Safe Coexistence.
- Develop future leaders who will promote positive change and advocate for animals throughout their lives.
- Strengthen the Human-animal bond through Education, Respect, and Responsible decision-making.
- Create a safer and more compassionate community for both people and animals.
Program Structure
- Welcome & Icebreaker (10–15 minutes) - Introduce the topic of the month. Share a recent animal-related news story. Discuss recent appropriate animal service calls or success stories.
- Educational Lesson (20–30 minutes) - Presentation, videos, guest speaker, or discussion. Focus on one animal welfare topic each month.
- Hands-On Activity (30–35 minutes) - Crafts, demonstrations, games, role-playing scenarios, etc.
- Advocacy Challenge (10–15 minutes) - Give participants a task to complete before the next meeting. Examples: Create a pet safety poster; Teach a family member about wildlife safety.
- Recognition & Prize (5–10 minutes) - Junior Animal Advocate pledge. and recognition for completed challenges.
| January | What Is an Animal Advocate and Introduction to the Program |
| February | Responsible Pet Ownership, Recognizing Cruelty and Neglect, and How to Report it |
| March | Wildlife Awareness, Living with Wildlife, and Wildlife Safety |
| April | Dog Safety, Animal Body Language, Bite Prevention and What to do if You Get Bit |
| May | Summer Safety for Pets and Fireworks Safety for Pets |
| June | Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness for Pets |
| July | Snake/Reptile Education |
| August | Local Shelters Education, Homeless Pet Population Education, Wildlife Shelters, etc. |
| September | Careers with Animals |
| October | Waterway Cleanup and Wildlife Water Systems |
| November | Nature Track Walk |
| December | Graduation and Knowledge Showcase |