Helping homeless pets can be a tough lesson for kids, teaching them that not all of them may find a family.

On Thursday, a group of Indialantic Elementary School children visited pets up for adoption at the SPCA of Brevard's shelter in Titusville.

It's part of the 'Aim Humane' program.

The kids read to the animals in their cages, with the goal of learning compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than them.

 “I think it shows our children compassion,” said parent Kimberly Edwards. “It shows, even if we can't adopt every dog, which we want to do, we can still do something and help.”

“It really just felt like everything was not important right then except for the dogs,” said student Jodie Wiens.

Program leaders hope the children go back into their homes and neighborhoods and share their experience.

They also hope the children will spread the word that spaying and neutering is key to controlling the pet population.

Aim Humane is a new program from the same group behind Canine Commandos.  Students in 21 Brevard County schools take part in Canine Commandos, going into shelters and training dogs so they become more adoptable.

Learn more about Aim Humane and Canine Commandos on the group’s website.