Wagging Tails Volunteer Youth Helping Pets at Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center

Hayden Roland, an eleven-year-old student at Holy Spirit Catholic School, has always been passionate about animals. When his mother, Aria, joined the board for Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center, she proposed the idea of starting a youth volunteer program. “My son was very interested in taking this on and so they thought that would be a great idea,” explained Aria.

The Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center previously entertained the idea and even had the name Wagging Tails in place which Hayden loved. “We’re still new,” explained Aria. “Our first meeting was in February, and it was just my son and one of his classmates that showed up to that meeting. Last month we tripled in numbers.”

The kids go through orientation and training at the Maclean Center, which can be anything from spending time with the animals, brushing them, walking them with adult supervision, changing out the laundry, cleaning dishes, and cleaning their toys.

Wagging Tails has helped Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center with several fundraising opportunities including placing growlers around town to collect donations for Animal Medical Emergency Funds. They will also be holding a fudge sale at Holy Spirit Catholic School on April 19^th.

Wagging Tails meets monthly on the third Friday at 3:50 for kids ages 10 to 16 with adult supervision. During the last meeting, the group made comfortable beds for the cats at the center, out of supplies that Hayden and Abigail VanTigham, bought with their own money. The next meeting will be right after the fudge sale on the 19^th.

All funds the Wagging Tails group raises will establish funds to do more projects such as making cat beds and other projects to help the animals at Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center.

Hayden steps right in any time he goes to the Center to help the animals. When he sees something that needs to be done, he doesn’t hesitate to complete the task.

If you would like more information on how to volunteer or adopt a pet at Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center, please call (406) 727-7387 or stop by 900 25th Ave NE and let them know you found them in The Great Falls Gazette.