If you are reading this page, then you love your pets and probably all animals. You may also wish you could help pets in shelters in some form or fashion. But, let’s face it. There is only so much room in your house and you can only take in as many as you can care for. So, what can you do? Well, a lot really. I’m sure there’s at least one animal shelter near you and they always need help. Read on to see how you can help animals in need!
Donate Money
Well, you knew we were going to start here, right? It’s fast an easy. Most shelters have a place right on their website where you can give money. Click the button, save the receipt and you can use that when you file your income taxes for the year. Some of them will even let you set up a payment that comes out every month if you would like to help that way.
Going to fundraising events is another way you can help them out. Sometimes it’s a fancy pants meal or it may be a walk-a-thon. Whatever it is, the money they make goes to help the shelter and that helps the animals!
Donate Supplies
Maybe you don’t feel comfortable giving money or you would simply prefer to donate food and/or other items. Usually, you can give stuff right to the shelter. Shelters are always in need of cat food, dog food, bowls to put it in, bedding for cats, dogs, and rodents, crates, unused toys, leashes, harnesses, collars – if an animal can use it, your shelter probably needs it! Get a hold of your shelter and ask them what they need. It might be that they even shelter livestock so a donation of hay may be appropriate.
Donate Your Stuff
Some shelters even have shops where they sell stuff that gets donated to them. This, in turn, gives them money for stuff they need. The Humane Society usually takes donations this way. You can help animals and get rid of stuff you don’t need – all at the same time!
Donate Your Time
Pretty much every shelter needs more help. The dogs need daily walks and the kitties need interaction and to be played with. And, of course, there is always cleaning to be done in the crates. If you have certain skills like bookkeeping, photography, clerical, social networking, etc. talk to the shelter staff and see if you could donate an hour or two of your time each week.
If you want to help animals or just want to help out in the area you live in, think about giving your time, money, or stuff to your local shelters!
i really am thankful for the info about helping animals in need. this way when we can we can call see if we can buy things while we buy things or would rather us just drop off a check. but now we know that
we can go and talk to them.
THANK U !!
MICHELE z
I love helping with out local pet rescue group! They have many fundraisers and take donations! This is such a helpful article for people who don’t realize what all they can do to help!
Rescue needs all the help they can get. I like to donate things I pick up on clearance all year long to donate to 2 different rescue places. Makes me feel good and I am use the dogs enjoy getting a toy for Christmas.
There are so many ways to help and donate to local shelters! Great post!
So important to remind people that they can help in many ways – most shelters and rescues are always looking for fosters supplies, volunteers or donations.
We took some old towels and harnesses/collars that don’t fit Mr. N and donated them to our shelter last week.
Miss Molly have you seen website where you can help also 🙂 Layla and I believe in giving back and I actually have taught the two kids I babysit to help also and understand what rescue is 🙂
I actually didn’t even think about donating old stuff or pet things we don’t want. I wonder.what they will and won’t take. I’m gonna contact the local shelter.
There are so many ways to help animals in need and it’s wonderful that you’re listing non-monetary ones too!
Animal rescues need all the help they can get. Great post sharing ways people can get involved in helping.
Great post – there are so many ways we can all help animals at need – even by sharing content online to help cats and dogs get adopted.
Thanks for this wonderful post!!! We couldn’t agree more . Better yet, do all of these things.
Great suggestion on how everybody can help out.
These are awesome tips! I try to donate to the shelter whenever I am able to!
Love these simple tips. I used to walk dogs at Oregon Humane Society – I went once a month and walked dogs in the yellow pod. Sometimes we would just hang out in their areas and it was nice to have a big visit. And to your point, donating items you don’t use anymore are appreciated by all shelters. Great post!
Great suggestions! Shelters and rescues are always in need of volunteers and donations.
Yes, yes, yes!!! There are SO many ways to help animal shelters. I always tell people if they can’t donate items, time or money, at least spread the word so others can! Even if all you can do is share a post or tell someone, that is a big help!
Wonderful post and a great reminder that there is always something we can help with even if it is as simply as donating! 🙂
A number of shelters will post a ‘wish list’ on their website. Great post!
These are great ways to help out homeless animals. I always feel so good when I am able to help out (even small things like dropping off a roll of paper towels.)
Yes! This is a great reminder of all the ways in which we can help our local rescue organizations. So important.
So very true! We can all help in some way. These days, there are a lot of different types of talent needed in animal rescue. Sometimes it is just playing with pets to keep them socialized. I think something to keep in mind is that you do not have to try and save the whole world. Even Superman saves only one person/animal at a time. 🙂
As a vet tech who worked in shelter medicine for many years, this post means a lot to me! It’s so easy to help shelter animals, and it doesn’t have to hurt your wallet either. I still volunteer and donate to shelters and rescues every month.
We’ve donated to our shelter and Mom Paula says she wants to volunteer some time once she retires.
Great tips! Another great thing is to share photos of their adoptable animals on your social media. Even if you don’t think you have lots of readers in your city, your readers may have more readers in your city and so on and so on. Intake photos are usually awful, an adorable photo can make a huge difference!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
When my old dog passed away a lot of his old stuff went to a local shelter. I’m glad there are so many ways to help.
fantastic post. Rescues are so much in need. We should do everything we can to help them