Best Friends Junior Ambassador Foster Certification Program
We are so excited that you have joined us for this lifesaving learning adventure. You can take this virtual self-paced camp and earn a Best Friends Lifesaving Achievement Certificate.
We are going to have so much fun discovering the world of pet safety, animal care and enrichment together over the next four weeks.
- The activities, videos and challenges are organized into four weeks.
- They are all self-paced and each week focuses on a particular topic.
- The four topics include: pet safety, basic care, enrichment and promotion.
- You can Invite friends to join and complete the activities together.
When you complete the four weeks of activities for cats and dogs, email the completed camp checklist to ja@bestfriends.org, so that we can send you your official lifesaving achievement certificate.
Lifesaving things to do after receiving your certification
- Foster an animal from your local shelter.
- Encourage others to foster and adopt their next pet.
- Send us your foster story.
- Send us your foster photos and videos to share (again, with the permission of your parents or guardian).
We would love to know what you are doing. Please email us at ja@bestfriends.org and share your lifesaving story.
Lifesaving Foster Certification for Cats and Kittens
Week 1: Cat safety
It is normal for your kitty to be a little nervous or timid at first. After all, she’s adjusting to a new environment — your home. It may take a day or so for her to warm up to you and her new surroundings. In the meantime, you can work on creating a space where she will be as safe and secure as possible and feel more confident. This week’s activity will help you create a safe environment for you and your foster cat where you can build trust and good communication.
Quick links to lesson resources
- Cat safety video
- Cat safety activity
- Cat body language
- DIY cat clay sculptures
- Four fun cat facts
- The Happy Tale of Two Cats, a book reading
Week 2: Cat care
To help your foster cat feel safe, healthy and loved, she will need food, a clean litter box, playtime (if she wants it) and lots of TLC. Providing your foster cat with basic care will encourage her to trust you and, over time, show you gratitude and affection.
Quick links to lesson resources
Week 3: Cat enrichment
Providing foster cats with an enriched environment can prevent them from getting bored and help them stay active, which is especially important for older indoor cats. The lesson and activities for this week will show you how to create an enriched environment in an enclosed space. You’ll make toys to keep foster cats entertained and learn safe ways to interact and play with them.
Quick links to lesson resources
Week 4: Cat adoption
You have made it to the final week and it’s time to help your feline friend find a forever home. *If you do not currently have a foster cat, please look up the bio on an adoptable pet from your local shelter. Since you’ve spent so much time with your foster, you’re the best one to tell your cat’s story. You can write about the cat’s characteristics or favorite things to do. You can also share cute photos for a flyer or create short videos to share on social media (with the permission of your parent or guardian, of course). The final lesson and activities will help you write a story about your foster cat to share with potential adopters. Take pride in knowing that because of you, your once homeless foster pet will soon have a family.
Quick links to lesson resources
Complete camp checklist and survey to receive certificate.
Lifesaving Foster Certification for Dogs and Puppies
Week 1: Dog safety
Like us, dogs can display and communicate all sorts of emotions. For some dogs it’s exciting to experience a new place and they may just want to explore, but other dogs might be nervous at first. It is normal for your foster pup to take a day or two to adjust to you and her new surroundings. In the meantime, you can work on creating a space where she will be as safe and secure as possible, and feel calmer and more confident. This week’s activity will help you create a safe environment for you and your foster companion where you can build trust and good communication.
Quick links to lesson resources
- Dog safety video
- Dog safety activity
- Dog body language
- Making friends with Buddy
- Best Friends family fun video – Dog collage
Week 2: Dog care
To help your foster pup feel safe, healthy and loved, she will need food, a regular potty break schedule, playtime (if she wants it) and lots of TLC. Providing your foster dog with basic care and a good routine will encourage her to trust you and it’ll help her to adjust to your home. In return, you’ll probably get lots of tail-wags, licks and doggie cuddles.
Quick links to lesson resources
Week 3: Dog enrichment and training
Providing foster dogs with an enriched environment can prevent them from boredom, help them socialize and reduce stress. The lesson and activities for this week will give you some enrichment ideas and teach you how to safely interact and play with them.
Quick links to lesson resources
Week 4: Dog adoption
You have made it to the final week and it is time to help your doggie friend find a forever home. *If you do not currently have a foster, please look up the bio on an adoptable pet from your local shelter. Since you’ve spent so much time with your foster, you are the best one to tell your dog’s story. You can write about the dog’s characteristics or his favorite activities. You can also share cute photos for a flyer or create short videos to share on social media (with the permission of your parent or guardian, of course). The final lesson and activities will help you write a story about your foster dog to share with potential adopters. Take pride in knowing that because of you, your once foster dog will soon have a family.
Quick links to lesson resources
Complete camp checklist and survey to receive certificate.