Volunteering at the Animal Shelter
Vocabulary
Reach each word out loud.
cage
/keɪdʒ/
noun
an enclosure usually make of thin metal bars, used for holding an animal
Example:
Growing up, we had a lot of pet birds that lived in cages.
animal shelter
/ˈæn ə məl ˈʃɛl tər/
noun
place where animals live when they do not have a home
Example:
I just adopted a dog from the animal shelter.
routine
/ɹuːˈtiːn/
noun
happening or done regularly or frequently
Example:
Every morning, my routine includes a cup of coffee and a short walk.
volunteer
/vɒl.ənˈtɪə/
noun
someone who works willingly without pay
Example:
My friends and I volunteer to clean the environment on weekends.
adopt
/əˈdɒpt/
verb
to take on responsibility for something, usually a baby or animal
Example:
The couple decided to adopt a child and give her a loving home.
Story
Read the story out loud or play the audio and follow along.
Audio generated by AI
Volunteering at the Animal Shelter
I’ve always loved animals, but I never had a pet growing up. My parents said we didn’t have time. Last year, I decided to volunteer at the local animal shelter. I thought it would be a nice way to help animals and learn more about them.
At first, the work was hard. I cleaned cages, walked dogs, and helped feed the animals. Some of the dogs barked a lot, and some of the cats didn’t want to be touched. But over time, I got used to the routine and started to bond with the animals.
One dog, named Rocky, became my favorite. He was quiet and shy at first, but after a few weeks, he ran to greet me every time I arrived. I looked forward to seeing him more than anything else.
After six months, something amazing happened—a kind family adopted Rocky. I was both sad and happy. I would miss him, but I knew he had found a good home. Volunteering taught me patience, responsibility, and how to say goodbye.
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Written by:
AI
Lesson updated:
November 6, 2025