April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. This day was created to highlight the need for thousands of animals across the country to be adopted from animal shelters.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 3.3 million dogs are in shelters nationwide every year. Approximately 620,000 dogs that enter a shelter are returned to their owners and 1.6 million are adopted. Each year, approximately 670,000 dogs are euthanized in the U.S. That is a staggering (and sad) figure.
If you are ready to bring home a new best canine companion, consider adopting from a local rescue organization or shelter.
But even if you’re not ready to adopt a new puppy or older dog, there are many ways you can support local rescue operations and pet shelters without adopting. Shelters and rescues are always in need of dedicated volunteers.
Here are seven ways you can help shelter animals without adopting.
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Transport shelter dogs
Most shelters or rescue organizations need drivers to transport animals to a foster home or new owner. Many shelters accept animals from rural areas. Shelters in rural areas often have low foot traffic and a large pet overpopulation problem, which leads to high kill rates. This is a great service that can be done on your own schedule.
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Foster a shelter dog
Fostering is not for the faint-of-heart, but shelters always need foster homes. If you have the time and space consider fostering a homeless dog until a permanent home is found. Fostering can be a great experience, but it is a big commitment. Before making such a big commitment, make sure you have enough time and resources to handle a foster animal. Also, are you sure you can emotionally handle saying good bye to the animal when a forever home is found? Are you OK with the extra work another animal will require? Do you have time to work on training with the foster animal?
Fostering is a great help to shelters, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re interested and able to give some extra time you can make a big difference in the life of the animals you foster.
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Volunteer at a local shelter
Most shelters have a volunteer program you can check into. Usually there is an age minimum and a short orientation or training required to be a volunteer. There are a wide variety of jobs volunteers typically do for animal shelters, such as:
- Walking the dogs
- Cleaning up kennels
- Making phone calls
- Mailing applications
- Help at adoption events (set up and clean up)
- Assist with a fundraising event
Read more about what to consider before volunteering at a dog rescue center here…
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Donate New or Used Items
Money is always needed but there are many other items that are appreciated. Some of the most common items needed include:
- Towels
- Chains
- Leashes
- Toys
- Brushes
- Beds
- Food and dishes
- Cleaning supplies
- Newspapers
Most animal shelters have links to their wishlists on Amazon. They include the address of the shelter so they can be shipped from Amazon right to the organization.
Read more about why you should consider donating to animal charities here…
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Take photos
If you’re into photography, consider taking pictures of the shelter dogs to use for adoption sites. Most people search for pets on apps like Petfinder, and a good photo can give a pet a better chance at being adopted.
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Social media networking
If you’re on social media sites (like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) you can share pictures of the adoptable dogs or information about the shelter. If you have design skills, you can create attractive graphics and share them in your feeds.
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Earn money using ResQWalk
ResQWalk is an app that raises money for homeless animals. You can even earn prizes every time you go for a walk. The app includes a news section with pet-related content, a shopping section with product deals and offers and a profile page for users and rescue organizations to track miles walked and dollars raised on behalf of their rescued animals. You can find ResQWalk in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
There are many ways to help animal shelters and rescues. Volunteering benefits the animals as well as the staff who are often overwhelmed and stressed due to the heavy workload. Even if you don’t have a lot of past experience with animals, there are always ways you can help.
In our area we encourage you to reach out to one of these non-profit organizations:
- Have a Nice Dog All Breed Rescue & Training
- Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
- Pals Forever Animal Rescue
Have you adopted a rescued dog from a shelter or volunteered for an animal shelter or rescue? Please share your experience with the Canine Campus community in the comments below…
Source:
“Pet Statistics.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics.
I rescued a Chi-Pin, an senior who was listed as “timid and shy”.
He settled in very quickly but still lowered his head when I went to pet him.
I guess his little nervous system has a LONG memory and he has some issues still but…..
after 9 months he completely relaxed and now acts like the dog he was supposed to be before he built his “shell” of safety and protection.
He now gets happy when we come home (even after 5 minutes) and he now waging his tail and gives us little winning noises of joy. He was leach and heel trained so going for walks have always been easy and fun. He gets REALLY excited for the first walk of the day. Inside he’s sedate and calm, Loves to be between us or curled up next to one or the other of us. Amazingly he came house broken and he will hold it (he hates the rain) until I take him out . He’s respectful and lets me cross a threshold before he follows, and asks for permission to get on the couch.
BEST ROOM MATE EVER !
unfortunately my dog (as described above), his name was Doug. When I got him I was told a different age. I wanted a dog between 4 to 6 years. He was 12 and had some serious health problems. He was dying so we had him euthanized Jan 20 2024 .
I have rescued another boy chi/mix and he’s about 2 years old. He’s a very loving and affectionate with my husband because he feels safe and comfortable.
He great, except for one problem. He doesn’t like men, and if they have a uniform on (amazon, UPS and even the postman). He barks like he’ll kill them. He is also spooked by almost everything. I’m taking him to training which will last 6 weeks, if they even accept him.
Even with all these problems he’s a good room mate. (though he does sometimes “puppy out” like over turning the bathroom trash and spreading it all over the bathroom and hallway)
If you have the patience, love to share and desire to have a living breathing little friend, ADOPT and save a little soul who needs you.
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m so happy you have such a big heart for these dogs. They are lucky to have you!