Youth volunteers having ‘tremendous’ impact on animal foster agency

The Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau has a new program that allows children to volunteer with animals.

The next generation is stepping up on behalf of pets who need homes.

Nearly 20 kids have signed up to Kids for Animal Rescue, Mentorship and Advocacy (KARMA), a four-month-old youth volunteer program at Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau (AHHRB).

“I go to adoption events, sometimes I make toys for the cats and dogs, and then we sell them… and then we also just hang out,” explained 12-year-old Eben Schmidt.

“(At adoption events), we have a booth, and when people walk in, we tell them about KARMA and Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue, and then we also resell merch.”

Participants – many of whom are from homes that foster animals – also learn about animal rescue and care, advocacy and volunteer work.

Another volunteer, Kaydence Krekoski, 16, added, “It’s just so important for animals (to) feel loved and safe. And animals can’t speak for themselves, so they have us.”

The agency has helped to rehome mainly Edmonton and area cats and dogs since 2019.

President and founder Krista Atmore said KARMA was an idea born out of children’s interest in animals at adoption events, as well as the organization’s vice-president who died in 2025 of cancer.

“I would like (the kids) to learn to meet friends, kindness and compassion toward animals, understand about animal rescue, and also being confident enough to spread the word,” Atmore said.

The program has had a “tremendous” impact, both in terms of easing the workload and injecting some youthful energy into the organization, Atmore added.

It caught on so quickly, KARMA is now looking for adults to be team leaders. It is free to participate in.

When asked what he would tell other kids about joining Karma, Schmidt said, “It’s really fun and sometimes you get to play with cats and dogs and hang out with them, and you get to meet a lot of people along the way.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson