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Shelter: 575-257-9841
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HSLC Kids’ Corner

A special place just for kids who love animals — full of games, stories, activities, and ways to help pets in our community.

Choose your Age Group

Ages 4–7: Little Animal Helpers

Welcome, little helpers. This section is full of simple, colorful fun to help you learn how to be kind to animals. Whether you love coloring, stories, or meeting new furry friends, you’ll find something joyful here.

Ages 8–12: Junior Animal Experts

Curious minds, this is your spot. Learn how shelters work, discover what pets need to stay healthy, and try fun DIY projects that help real animals at HSLC.

Ages 13–17: Teen Animal Advocates

You’re ready to make a real difference. This section empowers teens to learn about animal welfare, explore careers, and take on meaningful projects that support HSLC and the pets we serve.

Learn with HSLC

Kids ask the best questions. These short, friendly articles help explain what we do, how pets can stay safe, and how families can help animals in our community.

When a pet first arrives at the shelter, their big adventure begins — and our team is ready to help them feel safe, calm, and cared for right away.

Step 1: A Warm Hello

The moment a dog or cat comes through our doors, a staff member or volunteer greets them gently. We speak softly, offer treats if they’re comfortable, and let them know they’re in a safe place. Some pets wag their tails right away, and others need a little time to feel brave — and that’s okay.

Step 2: A Quick Checkup

Next, the pet receives a simple health check.
They look at things like:

  • Are their eyes bright?
  • Do they have any bumps or scratches?
  • Do they need a bath or a good brushing?
  • Do they have a microchip that can help us find their family?

This checkup helps us understand what the pet needs to feel healthy and happy.

Step 3: A Cozy Place to Rest

After the checkup, the pet gets their own clean, comfy space with soft bedding, fresh water, and a yummy meal. This is their “safe spot” where they can relax, nap, and get used to the new sounds and smells of the shelter.

Step 4: Getting to Know Them

Over the next few days, staff and volunteers spend time with the pet to learn their personality.
We watch for things like:

  • Do they love toys?
  • Are they shy or outgoing?
  • Do they enjoy belly rubs or chin scratches?
  • What makes them feel happiest and safest?

This helps us match them with the perfect family.

Step 5: Ready for a Fresh Start

Once the pet is healthy, comfortable, and feeling more confident, we take their photo, write their bio, and introduce them to the community. That’s when their journey toward finding a forever home truly begins.

Every pet’s story is different, but they all get the same things when they arrive: kindness, care, and a team of people cheering them on. At HSLC, we make sure every animal knows they matter — from the very first moment they walk through our doors.

At the shelter, keeping animals healthy and happy is one of the most important things we do. Every day, our team works together to make sure each pet feels safe, loved, and cared for — just like they would in a forever home.

Healthy Bodies: The Care They Need

Pets need many of the same things people do to stay healthy.
Here’s what we give them every single day:

  • Fresh food and clean water
    Dogs and cats get meals that help them grow strong and stay full of energy.
  • A clean, cozy space
    Their kennels and rooms are cleaned often so they always have a comfy place to rest.
  • Medical checkups
    Our staff makes sure pets get medicine, vaccines, and any special care they need to feel their best.
  • Exercise and playtime
    Dogs go for walks or play in the yard, and cats get toys, climbing shelves, and fun things to explore.

 

Happy Hearts: The Love They Deserve

Staying healthy isn’t just about bodies — it’s about feelings too.
Here’s how we help pets feel happy and loved:

  • Gentle attention
    Staff and volunteers talk softly, offer treats, and spend time helping pets feel safe.
  • Toys and enrichment
    Pets get puzzles, chew toys, feather wands, and other fun activities that keep their minds busy.
  • Friends and social time
    Some pets enjoy meeting new people or playing with other animals, and we help them do that safely.
  • Routine and comfort
    Pets feel calmer when they know what to expect, so we keep their days steady and peaceful.

 

Why It Matters

When animals feel healthy and happy, they show their true personalities — silly, sweet, playful, or cuddly. This helps us learn what they love and what kind of family will be perfect for them.

Every day at HSLC, we work hard to make sure each pet knows they matter. A little kindness, a little care, and a lot of love go a long way in helping them get ready for their forever home.

Have you ever wondered how lost pets find their way back home? One tiny little tool helps make that happen — a microchip. It’s small, safe, and super important for keeping pets and families together.

So… what is a microchip?

A microchip is a teeny‑tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice. It doesn’t have a battery, it doesn’t beep, and it doesn’t track a pet like a GPS.
Instead, it holds one special thing:
a number that tells us who the pet belongs to.

Where does it go?

The microchip is placed just under the pet’s skin, usually between the shoulders.
It’s quick, it doesn’t hurt much, and pets don’t even notice it once it’s in.

How does it work?

When a lost pet comes to the shelter or a vet clinic, we use a special scanner that gently passes over their back.

  • The scanner reads the microchip’s number
  • We look up that number in a safe database
  • The database tells us the pet’s family’s contact information

 

It’s like the pet is saying, “Hi! I’m trying to get home. Here’s my phone number!”

Why are microchips so important?

Microchips help pets:

  • Get home faster
  • Stay safe if they get lost
  • Be reunited even if their collar falls off
  • Find their family after storms or emergencies

 

Collars and tags are great, but they can slip off or get lost. A microchip stays with a pet for life.

A tiny chip with a big job

At HSLC, we love microchips because they help us bring families back together. Every time a lost pet gets scanned and we find their people, it feels like a little miracle — all thanks to something smaller than a jellybean.

Microchips may be tiny, but they make a huge difference in helping pets stay safe, loved, and home where they belong.

Puzzles

Spot the 10 differences!