Animal rescues and shelters are always in desperate of help. “Help” can come in many different forms, but the fact of the matter is homeless animals need us. Shelters work tirelessly to help save millions of furry lives every year, so let me share some ways that you can give back to your local animal shelter in honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Adopt!
Obvious, right?! Cold winter months are coming, and there are too many furry friends in need of forever families! Adopt a new feline or canine companion that you can shower with gifts for the holidays. Shelters become overcrowded around Christmas time, so get out there and adopt, don’t shop!
Foster
Can’t adopt? Trust me – I get it. But fostering also saves lives. Help shelters by fostering animals temporarily until they can find their forever homes. You get your dog or cat fix, AND you’re saving a life. Fostering frees up space in shelters for more animals, which saves more lives in the end.
Volunteer
Rescues and shelters always need volunteers. This holiday season, give the gift of time by volunteering. Who doesn’t want to spend time at a shelter with the dogs and cats? Yeah, it’s sad, I know from experience. But those animals deserve to see your smiling face and feel your loving touch. More volunteers means less pressure on the shelter over all.
Donate
Donate goods like food, litter, paper towels, blankets and towels. I almost guarantee your local shelter has a “wishlist.” Check it out and see what they need! If you don’t have time to physically donate items, go online and donate to a local shelter via their website. Most charities and organizations make it SUPER easy to make a monetary donation.
Click here to donate to the Arizona Maricopa County animal shelter, where McKenzie Rae was saved from.
Click here for the AAWL wish list – Arizona’s biggest and largest no-kill animal shelter.
Sponsor a Pet
Sponsoring a pet through a local rescue can pay for food, shelter, spay/neuter surgery and veterinary care. You can sponsor an animal even if they aren’t located near you by making the monetary donation online.
Educate
I understand that not everyone can make a donation, adopt or foster. But what everyone can do is spread the word. Share important posts from rescues and shelters via social media. Tell your friends. Attend free pet events to spread awareness. Educate your friends, family and acquaintances on how they can help also!
During these violent, negative times that we live in, let’s sprinkle kindness. Let’s be the voice for these homeless animals and get involved. Let’s get others involved in our cause. Kindness and peace go further than the latter. So get out there and help your local animal shelter all year long, but especially during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
Shelters do SO much for homeless animals, and it’s time for us to give back in a big way.
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