If you’ve ever visited an animal shelter, you may have wanted to adopt a pet (or five) that was in need of a forever home. Even if you aren’t quite ready to adopt a dog or a cat, there are so many other ways you can help local shelters.
#1: Donate your time
Walk dogs. Cuddle with kitties. Volunteer to work at adoption events. Give your human child the opportunity to practice her reading skills by reading to adoptable dogs. With so many homeless pets to care for, shelters can use all the help they can get. Volunteering your time at your shelter of choice is not only good for the shelter and the animals in it, but it’s also good for your soul.
#2: Donate money
Of course, with millions of animals entering shelters every year, monetary donations are always welcome. If you don’t have time, donating money helps to fund the good work done at these shelters every day and makes a big difference for animals in need.
#3: Donate wish list items
Animal shelters and rescues are always in need of supplies, like food and treats, bedding, toys, collars, leashes, kennels and carriers, towels, and more. Many shelters have “wish lists” on Amazon or other sites, where they keep a running list of items needed. When you’re ready to donate, ask the shelter team if they have a wish list so you won’t have to guess.
#4: Become a foster
Some animals struggle with fear and anxiety in the shelter environment, which can lead to behavior changes and make them less likely to be adopted. But, once placed in a loving foster home, they can “come out of their shell” and be themselves again, which makes them more attractive to potential adopters.
#5: Promote available animals
We live in a world in which an individual blog post or tweet published by any ordinary person can go viral and be seen by millions. Spreading the word about adoptable animals can be accomplished in a number of ways, whether you have a blog, are active on social media, or prefer to talk face-to-face with people you know. Every person you tell about that sweet senior pup at the shelter who needs a home is one more person who didn’t know about him before.
Questions about local shelters? Contact us.