Skip to main content

Can't Adopt? Try...

So you can't adopt a pet right now but still want to help homeless shelter animals? There are so many things you can do that benefit animal shelters and rescues, for free! 

FOSTER

It's temporary! If you're not ready for a life-long commitment, fostering may be for you! Ideally, you keep the pet until they're adopted. Most animal shelters and rescues can provide food and some supplies for fostering their animals. 

Learn more about fostering and what it takes:  https://petsandpeopletogether.org/foster-a-cat-or-dog

Why is it important? 

 Fostering helps animal shelters to free up space in their open-door facility. Fosters are crucial for non-profit animal rescues that don't have a facility to operate out of. An animal in a foster home that's quiet greatly reduces the animals stress. They also learn house-manners and maybe even some basic obedience! You'll get to know the pets personality well and this can help them find great adopters. 


DONATE

Of course, monetary donations are incredibly important for shelters and rescues and nonprofits rely on those donations to operate. If that isn't an option for you, you can purchase items off of the organizations Amazon or Chewy wish lists! Purchases are shipped to the facility directly. Alternatively, if you have old (but clean) blankets, towels and sheets, lots of organizations are always in need of those items. Donations of newspapers, pet food, pet treats and toys are often needed (check with your local organization first!). 

Why is it important? 

Monetary donations can fund anything from pet food to vaccinations. Some organizations have programs that help the community like spay and neuter clinics and your donation may go towards that, for example. Shelters and rescues don't always have the funding for bedding, treats, toys, etc., so even donating those items used is such a help to the animals in the shelter.  


SHARE

Sharing and cross-posting adoptable pets in your area on various social media sites can greatly increase their risk of being seen and adopted (or fostered!). A simple Facebook post could reach the right person. Posting adoptable pets in your area on your neighborhood Nextdoor site is also a great way to spread the word about local animals! You could even print fliers to drop off at local businesses or community centers, bulletin boards, etc.  Free templates coming soon!

Why is it important? 

Even if the people you reach can't adopt, they may be inclined to check out the organizations other services or make a donation. Getting more eyes on these animals greatly increases their chances of being adopted or fostered. Posting on social media is free and doesn't take up much of your time, but can make a world of difference to an animal in a shelter. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kennel Personality Cards

These cards are meant for the outside of kennels at animal shelters to give visitors some insight as to the personality of the individual animal. So often animals at shelters don’t have a bio, or are judged purely on breed, stereotypes or first impressions. It’s helpful for visitors to know that a dog knows some basic commands, or likes to play or run, or is good with kids/other small animals, etc. Also available in kitties! These cards will advertise kitties as independent, a lap kitty, a playful kitty, etc.  The Kennel Card Packs are about 3” x 4” and laminated. Hole punch is optional. The graphics are hand-drawn digitally and feature bright, fun text to grab adopters attention! Work at a shelter and are interested in these cards? Email us !  We're still working on the logistics and order form, so please bear with us! We recently worked with HEAL Animal Rescue in Pennsylvania! Here are the Kennel Personality Cards in action:
2 comments
Read more

Kennel Enrichment

Kennel Enrichment (KE) includes a variety of things, including stimulating toys (such as treat dispensing toys), training or exercise activities, in-kennel activities, music, scents, social needs, etc. The first step in KE in an animal shelter, is keeping the dogs calm, and focused while in their kennel. A quiet, distracted dog shows much better when visitors are walking by the kennels. Photo courtesy of Center for Shelter Dogs KONGs are great, durable, treat dispensing toys. There are plenty of other brands of treat dispensing toys that are equally as challenging, and durable.  You can use a variety of dog treats and peanut butter. You can put most anything in them including regular kibble, bananas and yogurt. You can also freeze them! They last longer, and are great on hot days when frozen.
Post a Comment
Read more

Purebred dogs vs Shelter dogs

Photo credit: Dayton Daily News Yesterday on Twitter, there was a post about an adoptable dog and someone had replied with "well their adoption fees are more expensive than some papered purebreds. People would adopt more if it was more affordable!" My first thought was: That's exactly why animals are in shelters; For YOUR affordability. (Ironically, this person calls themselves a "Pit Bull advocate." See: Abuse of the term "advocate.") This brings up many points: "Papered" means nothing. It's literally a piece of paper with no value. Any so-called "breeder" can register anything, even mutts. And I'll tell you right now, if you paid $100 for a dog with "papers" those don't even prove the dog is of pure bred lineage. There are pure bred dogs in shelters. Most shelters have fees under $200. So think about what you're actually getting if you're purchasing a dog for this little with "papers...
Post a Comment
Read more