The Humane Youth Award recognizes inspiring youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are making a positive impact on the lives of animals in their community.

The award is a recognized honor for a young person who has both personally, and through the inspired efforts of others, raised awareness for and helped create a more peaceful life for people, animals and the environment.

Award Information – Now accepting nominations!

Guidelines

  1. Please submit your entry electronically by July 31st at 4pm. We’re sorry –  late submissions are not able to be considered.
  2. This award is open to all youth ages 12-17 that reside in Washtenaw County, Plymouth or the City of Northville. Those on HSHV’s Junior Volunteer team who live outside of these areas are also welcome to apply.
  3. We ask that applicants are willing to  have their photo, work and/or name used in recognition/marketing activities (such as press releases, on the website, etc.) and the parent/guardian must agree to a marketing release form, which is provided in the application.
  4. Work must be original.
  5. Please limit entries to one per nominee.

The Selection Process

Nominations will be accepted now through July 31st, 2026 at 4pm. All nominations must be submitted electronically using our nomination form. All nominees will receive communication regarding their nomination status and winners will be notified by August 5th via email. We’re sorry – we are not able to consider incomplete submissions.

All youth are encouraged to apply and the following criteria will be a guide for us when considering submissions.

  • Whether the nominee’s work is directly helping animals within Washtenaw County, Plymouth or the City of Northville
  • Number of animals helped
  • Sustainability of the project
  • Length (time wise) that the project has been occurring
  • Uniqueness

One Humane Youth Award winner as well as a first and second runner-up will be selected. Awards are as follows:

Winner

  • Complimentary attendance for the winner and a guest and formal recognition at HSHV’s annual Compassionate Feast gala on October 30th.
  • Humane Youth Award trophy
  • Inclusion in marketing opportunities and press releases

First and Second Runners-Up

  • Humane Youth Award plaque
  • Inclusion in marketing opportunities and press releases

Questions? Please email humaneed@hshv.org

Humane Youth Award Nomination

Humane Youth Award Nomination

Your Nominee

Nominee's Address
City
State/Province
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Parent/Guardian Address
City
State/Province
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Your Information

The Nomination


Provide as much information and as many specific examples as possible. Examples might include: overcoming physical, emotional, or other challenges; providing positive leadership and role modeling for other youth; positive changes in the lives of specific animals; and community involvement. While we encourage you to keep your description to around 1000 words, nominations with very brief or incomplete information may not be given as much consideration as thorough nominations.


Work Samples

Maximum file size: 134.22MB

If you have issues with this forms or questions, please contact humaneed@hshv.org. Thank you!
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Meet the 2025 winners

OV Serlin, 15, is the winner of the 2025 Humane Youth Award!  OV is an animal advocate who has dedicated over 100 hours of volunteer service to HSHV.  As a Junior Volunteer she has spent time enriching the lives of the cats, dogs, and small mammals that temporarily call HSHV home.  OV’s animal advocacy extends even beyond the walls of HSHV.  She has spent time volunteering at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Costa Rica, donating to the Creature Conservancy in Washtenaw County, and founding an animal advocacy club at her Ann  Arbor public school.  OV has also consistently been a top fundraiser for HSHV’s annual Walk and Wag, raising over $3,000 in 2025 alone.  She even created a website to showcase her wonderful work and advocate for animals. Because of her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of animals, we are incredibly proud to name OV as the winner of the Humane Youth Award!  

Anna Richards, 17, is the Humane Youth Award 1st runner up.  As a Junior Volunteer, Anna has dedicated over 60 hours of time to helping the adoptable cats, dogs and small mammals at HSHV.  She has also volunteered at The Bird Center of Michigan and interned at The Creature Conservancy.  Possibly Anna’s biggest contribution to animal welfare, however, is the work she’s done in educating others.  Through her own website and Youtube channel, Anna has published multiple guides on the proper care of reptiles, as well as an informational video explaining “The Problem with Class Pets.”  We commend Anna on her dedication to helping animals of all kinds! 

Kate Kim, 17, is the Humane Youth Award 2nd runner up.  Kate has contributed to HSHV as both a Junior Volunteer and by selling homemade crafts on Petsy to benefit the shelter.  Most recently, Kate combined her love of music and animals to create a podcast highlighting HSHV’s adoptable animals while introducing listeners to underappreciated songs.  We thank Kate for using her creativity to help animals!