Last Updated on September 11, 2022 by ellen
Have you wondered how you can help your local pet shelter? Most pet shelters in this country have a constant need for our help and support. There are so many strays and unwanted pets that the shelter’s resources are never enough to cover all of their needs. Many times, shelters rely on our donations to take care of the animals they receive.
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How Can You Help Your Local Pet Shelter?
If you have children, consider involving them in your donation to your local pet shelter. It’s important to help children understand our responsibilities towards animals in these shelters. If they’re old enough, you can incorporate a discussion on the importance of spaying or neutering your pet to help prevent overpopulation and unwanted pets.
What can I do to help my local animal shelter?
There are so many stray cats and dogs in our local shelters. One of the best ways to help your local pet shelter is by educating friends and family about how important it is to spay and neuter their pets.
And, if you know that a friend or relative is looking for a pet to adopt, encourage them to look at their local pet shelter rather than buying through a breeder. If you’re wondering how to help animal shelters without adopting, there are lots of different ways.
What do animal shelters need the most?
Of course, every shelter will have different needs depending on the time of year. But, here are a few things that most animal shelters have a consistent need for:
- Paper towels and bath towels for cleaning messes
- Bleach, sponges, disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent and dish soap for cleaning
- New pet food, dental treats, catnip, and pet treats – sealed is the best
- New pet toys especially the larger Kong dog toys
- Pet blankets and bedding
- Pet waste bags
- Newspapers to line cages
- Unopened bags of bedding and hay for small animals
- New cat litter boxes and cat litter
- Pet chew sticks for small animals like gerbils and hamsters
- Pet beds in new or good condition
- Money or a gift card to your local store
How can I help the Humane Society?
It’s always best to check with your local shelter before loading up the car to drop off your donation. Some shelters may also accept dog houses that are in good condition if they have a large outside area for dogs to play in.
As you clean out your house for tag sales this summer, consider how you can help your local pet shelter. Many grocery stores have a drop-off point for your local shelter so consider buying an extra bag of cat food while you’re doing your weekly shopping.
Of course, you can always check with them and see if they need people to spend time with some of the animals. Consider fostering a pet or adopting one if that’s something your family feels called to do. If you can afford it, make a donation.
How to find local animal shelters
There are many independently operated local animal shelters. And, there are Humane Societies in almost every state. We support our local Humane Society because we believe in their mission. It’s where we have always gotten our pets from.
Start there to find a local animal shelter near you that you can support. Or, you can make a donation to the main Humane Society if you prefer. They will use your donation where it is most needed.
Learn how to care for feral cats in the winter. Or, learn more about National Guide Dog Month and how you can help. There are many different ways you can help your favorite local pet charities.
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.