XX Ways You Can Help Your Local Shelter, Even If You Can’t Volunteer: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week: 2-8

1. You Can Help Shelters by Transporting Animals

Transport rescued animals to their foster homes. In the last decade hundreds of thousands of dogs have been transported from U.S. shelters to rescue organizations. Many rescues take in shelters dog from rural areas, and many are located in the southern states. Shelters in rural areas often have low foot traffic and a large pet overpopulation problem which leads to their high kill rates. Volunteers drive to these shelters and transport the animals back to their foster homes or new owner.  If you’re interested in being an animal transporter you can find many resources online for animal rescue organizations in your area.

2. Donate Items to Your Local Shelter

You can donate to local rescues or shelters. Money is always needed but there are so many other items that are needed and appreciated. Some of the most common needed items at shelters include:

• Towels

• Chains

• Leashes

• Toys

• Brushes

• Beds

• Food & dishes

• Cleaning supplies

• Newspapers

Many shelters have their donation policies listed, and many include a list of items they need most. Find a local shelter near you and see if there’s any items you can help out with. Policies vary on whether or not they accept gently used items and/or food items.

3. Buy Items on a Shelter’s Wishlist

Most animal shelters & rescues have links to their wishlists on their website. Amazon wishlists are common,  and they provide a list of the items they need which you can sort by order of importance. Amazon wishlists include the shelters address which means you don’t have to ship any items yourself; they’ll go right from Amazon to your local shelter. You can buy items for your local rescue without even leaving your living room.

4. Help By Taking Photos of Adoptable Pets

If you have some photography skills you can help animals in need by taking adoption photos for local shelters. Most people find search for pets on pages like petfinder, and with a great profile picture animals have a much greater chance of being adopted.

5. Network Shelter Pets on Social Media

If you have some graphic design, social media, or web design skills offer those skills to a local rescue. They rely on word of mouth to network their animals, and the internet is usually the first place potential adopters start their search.

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