The holiday season puts most of us in the mood to give: we shop for presents for our family and friends; we give out Christmas cards; we donate to a local food pantry or Toys for Tots. There is someone else you should put on your Christmas shopping list: local dogs. Donating to an animal shelter is a great way to help less fortunate dogs. Of course, you can donate anytime, but while you’re in the holiday mood, consider gifting your local shelter with one or more of the following:
Money. Green is always good. Monetary donations allow shelters to get the supplies they need. Unsurprisingly, and unfortunately, most shelters are underfunded and donations are always appreciated – and almost always tax deductible. You can also check out Purina’s Pets for People site to see how you can help homeless dogs and cats.
Time. Time can be as valuable as money. Call your shelter and ask if they need volunteers. Maybe you could exercise some of the dogs, clean up, or feed the animals. Maybe you can just sit and pay some good quality attention to some of the animals. That makes a huge difference in their quality of life and their adoptability. Even (especially!) the unglamorous jobs of cleaning up help overworked staff tremendously. No task you will perform will go unappreciated.
If you have room in your home, you can also provide a foster home for an animal. This requires time and commitment, so make sure you’re ready. If not, visiting the shelter once a week or for a few hours when you can is excellent.
Supplies. Dog and cat bowls, old towels, placemats, leashes, collars, cat and dog beds, laundry detergent (for all those towels!), newspaper, cat litter, grooming items, and other items take up big chunks of a shelter’s budget. Call and ask what they need. If you have items you’re not using or want to pick some up at your local pet store next time there’s a sale, your shelter will love to have them. For items like towels and newspapers, please call first to see if they are needed. Some shelters may have partnerships with recycling centers or the like and have a ton of newspaper.
Dog and cat food. Needless to say, this is a huge expense for shelters. Call and ask what brands they use (some may be particular about this for nutritional reasons) and pick up a bag or two for them. Watch out for sales.
Toys. Dogs in shelters need toys, even more so than dogs at home. They need entertainment and stimulation, so squeak toys, balls, and other toys are always good. They wear quickly, so shelters are always in short supply. Again, ask what type of toys they prefer and pick some up next time you go shopping.
You don’t have to make a huge donation of thousands of dollars or buy three tons of dog food to make a difference. Establishing a relationship with your local pet shelter is even better. Giving your time, dropping off a bag or two of food, stopping by to play with an older dog, bringing some laundry soap, or taking a minute to think of them when you’re buying your own dog supplies is both cost-effective and beneficial for the animals.
No comments:
Post a Comment