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!