Foster a Pet
Giving a pet a temporary home does much more than you think. It allows the pet to live in the comfort of a home until they get adopted; and it frees up space in the shelter. Most of the time the shelter will pay for food and medical expenses, you just provide the love. And if they end up sleeping in your bed, we won’t tell anyone.
Have a Lemonade Stand
It is a staple of summer youth, there’s one on every block and the guilt tripped neighbors are always loyal customers. Explain to your kids that donating a part of their earnings can help save shelter pets! Giving summer fun a purpose is a great teaching method.
Get Crafty
If you can tie a knot, you can help! Pinterest never fails in the ways of craftivities. A few bucks at your local craft store and some scissors, will keep a homeless pet warm through the night!
Birthday Donations
This one may be hard for the kids. But in the world of social responsibility they are coming around to the idea, we promise! Of course, it has to be their idea. Asking birthday guest to donate the money they would have spent on a present, to your child’s choice of a pet or shelter is a fun way to give back.
Tell a Story
You may have heard of therapy dogs visiting local libraries so that kids can read to them and strengthen their reading skills. Well some shelters are flipping that idea around! Grab a book, and head over to your local shelter. Reading to animals in a calming voice at the shelter can do a world of good for both your family and the pets!
Say Cheese
Do you have a knack for photography? Volunteering your time and talent can get pets adopted. Many times, shelters and rescues don’t have the time to take stunning pictures of their adoptable pets. A clear, adorable image on an adoption site can create an instant connection with an adopter.
Take a Walk
Yeah, that’s it. Many shelters and rescues allow trusted volunteers to take the dogs on a walk. This gets them out of their kennel and away from the chaos of the shelter. They can smell the roses and learn behavior skills, like walking on a leash.
Donate Your Gently Used Pet Items
If you’re like most pet parents, you constantly are buying your furbaby the latest and greatest gear. New collars to match their mood or your outfit? Don’t lie, you’ve done it. What do you do with their old collars, leashes and food bowls? Donate them! Shelters won’t turn them down.
Spic and Span
Here’s one you may not have thought of! Shelters and rescues are always cleaning! They do their best to keep the animals living conditions clean as well as the entire facility. Buying dog food is going to trump spending money on a bottle of Clorox Cleanup. Donating household cleaners and supplies is an easy way to help.
Adopt Don’t Shop
Anytime you’re thinking about adding a new member to the family, check out your local shelter or rescue. Your new best friend is waiting for you. Many pet stores have pets for sale that come from horrific backgrounds, like puppy mills. Purchasing one of these pets will just put money back in the hands of people that overbreed and abuse helpless animals.
