Each year, the first full week of November is dedicated to celebrating and showing gratitude towards the lifesaving work provided by animal shelters and rescues nationwide. As a vital part of the communities they serve, animal shelters and rescues devote themselves tirelessly to bettering the lives of not only homeless animals, but also owned pets in need throughout the community. Without rescue organizations, many services like adoption, sheltering and reuniting lost pets, cruelty investigations, spay and neuter programs, pet care assistance, and more would be nonexistent. Everything animal shelters strive to accomplish and provide to their communities can’t exist without these organizations, but they also couldn’t exist without one additional — and important — key factor: you!
Without the support of the people in the community, rescue organizations would fade away as a thing of the past. National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is the perfect time to say ‘thank you’ to shelters and rescues in your area. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas on how you can show your support and gratitude to an animal shelter near you and be a part of the solution, from the Roice-Hurst Humane Society.
- Adopt a shelter pet! According to the ASPCA, “approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.” One of the greatest ways you can help your local rescue is choosing to adopt a shelter animal. Dogs and cats of all ages, shapes, sizes, breeds, and colors are looking for their forever homes every day. Adoption not only saves the life of the pet you are taking home, but also changes the life of the next animal who takes your new friend’s place at the shelter.
- Become a foster! Becoming a foster for dogs and cats frees up space in the shelter for more animals and provides a home environment for shelter pets who would benefit from additional or specialized care. These temporary arrangements typically last anywhere from a week to a couple of months, but the care provided during a foster stay can changes a pet’s life forever. Without foster homes, shelters and rescues would have a more difficult time caring for and adopting out animals who are newborn, orphaned, pregnant or nursing, under-socialized or untrained, have special needs, and more. However, foster homes aren’t just for pets with special or additional needs! Dogs and cats of all backgrounds and levels of care benefit from foster care.
- Become a volunteer! Volunteers are an important and much appreciated part of rescue organizations. By becoming a volunteer, you can become part of the lifesaving work of your local rescue and be a part of the solution, even if you don’t have experience with dogs and cats! There are many different ways you can volunteer including dog and cat care, cleaning and maintenance, assisting with vaccination clinics, vet care, and surgery recovery, transporting dogs and cats, office work, and community outreach like events, supply drives, and fundraisers.
- Donate! Animal Shelters can’t do what we do without you! There are many ways to show your support through donations. We greatly appreciate donations of all kinds, monetary or otherwise! Some non-monetary donations that greatly impact our work include pet food, toys, pet care items, blankets and towels, cleaning products, and office supplies.
- Be a responsible pet owner! Another great way you can help rescue organizations is by being a responsible pet owner. Keeping your pet spayed/neutered prevents unwanted or accidental litters and keeps your pet from adding to the large population of pets needing homes. Another great way to show responsibility for your pet is by keeping identification on your pet at all times. The easiest and most permanent way to identify your pet is by getting them microchipped and keeping microchip information up to date. Accidents happen, so it is always best to keep ID on your pet for the best chances of reunification.
- Spread the word! One of the simplest ways to help out your local rescue or shelter is by sharing the word in the community! Let your friends know about events and fundraisers happening, share adoptable pets with those who are looking for a new furry friend, and help be the voice for the dogs and cats who don’t have one.
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