April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day! While not everyone has time, space, or funding for a pet, there are several other ways you can help shelter pets beyond adopting.
Photo by Sasha Sashina on Unsplash
5 ways you can help shelter pets besides adopting:
1. Volunteer
Volunteering your time to help animals is rewarding for everyone. Shelters are always in need of extra hands on deck to run daily operations and love on the animals. While most shelters are on tight budgets, volunteers are instrumental in making a shelter or rescue organization run smoothly.
2. Foster
Perhaps you want to see an animal through their transitional period but can’t say ‘yes’ to the lifelong commitment of a pet. Fostering is a great way to get pets out of shelters and into home environments. The more acclimated a pet is to a home setting, the more likely they are to be adopted.
Just beware of foster failing: the act of adopting a dog you’re fostering. Don’t worry, it happens to many people. But if you start getting the “foster fail feels”, just make sure you can commit to the responsibility of a pet.
3. Organize
Sadly, most shelters are underfunded. However, by organizing a fundraiser for money, food, and other supplies, you can provide big-time help to shelters. Often the smallest shelters are the ones most in need, so keep that in mind when choosing which shelter to fundraise for.
If you live in Los Angeles, donate gently-used dog items to Fitdog and we will give them to Operation Blankets of Love, who disperse items to shelters in need around California.
4. Spread Awareness
If you have any social media channels, use them to spread awareness! Whether for advocacy or information about adoption events happening near you, use your voice for good. Networks like Facebook and Instagram can be powerful channels for spreading news and connecting with others who are passionate about the same things as you.
5. Sponsor an animal
While we can’t be everywhere at once, many shelters and sanctuaries around the world have programs where you can sponsor an animal’s livelihood. By providing funds for an animal’s residency at a shelter or sanctuary, you typically get photos and regular updates on their livelihood.
Simply by sharing this blog post, you can encourage people to help shelter pets everywhere. And with so many ways to help shelter pets besides adopting, we know you can make a difference in your community.
Cover photo by Anoir Chafik
This post was updated on April 24, 2019.