Local animal shelters and other animal rescue organizations can always use a volunteer. However, many people simply don't have the time to volunteer on a regular basis. The guidelines below are ways to help without investing a whole lot of time.
Grab a Bag of Pet Food
On the next visit to the pet store, consider adding an extra bag of cat or dog food to the cart. This is very helpful, especially during spring and summer when new litters of kittens and puppies are dropped off the most. To add even more convenience, check with the store and see if they schedule regular shelter events, such as adoption days. Plan pet food shopping on these days and just leave the bags with the organization.
Call the shelter to see if they need one food over the other. Also, some shelters might try to use one specific brand of food when possible. This helps keep the digestive system in check and prevents upset stomachs.
This small gesture of an extra bag of food can mean a world of difference to an animal.
Cleaning Supplies Always Come in Handy
Kennels and cages need to be cleaned out regularly. If finding time to volunteer to do the actual cleaning is an issue, donating cleaning supplies is just as helpful. Shelters are always in need of cleaning supplies, such as bleach or Lysol.
Donating cleaning supplies will help ensure that the kennels and cages can be thoroughly disinfected, which will keep illnesses from spreading. It gives the animals a safe and healthy environment.
A case of bleach is only four bottles and normally costs less than five dollars. It may not seem like much, but to a non-profit organization where every dollar counts, it is a big deal.
Don't Recycle that Newspaper
Newspapers can be a valuable resource when it comes to helping a shelter. Not only can it be used to line cages, but it can also be used to clean up spills. It makes a very inexpensive alternative to paper towels.
Grab a box and store the newspaper over a period of a week or two, then send it off to the local animal shelter or rescue organization. It will be very much appreciated.
Some shelters like it when the newspaper is already folded a certain way. If boredom strikes, consider saving the volunteers some time and folding the newspaper so they will fit in crates easier. Simply call the shelter and they will be happy to explain the process.
Make Room for One More
Shelters and rescue organizations can always use foster homes for the animals. A foster home will come with a lot of responsibility, but will be highly rewarding. A foster parent takes care of an animal until it finds a forever home. Foster parents will be screened in order to make sure it is a suitable environment. They are also encouraged to attend shelter and rescue events so that potential adopters might be able to meet the dog.
Being a foster parent can be a simple task, especially if animals are already present in the home. Consider calling the local shelter and finding a dog or cat suited to the household. Not only does it keep one animal from having to live at the shelter, but it also means that an extra kennel is free.
Monetary Donations
Some people might have more time than money, but others have more money than time, so donations are a great way to help out local shelters. When a monetary donation is given, it allows the shelter to place those funds where the need is the greatest. And with the nature of shelters, the need can vary from month to month or even week to week.
Some shelters offer a program that deducts a set amount from your bank each month. This is a wonderful program for people who might be busy, but still want to know they are doing their part to help.
Everything is Appreciated
No matter if it is a donation of old bed linens or a monthly donation of money, the shelter volunteers and especially the animals, appreciate whatever help is offered. So even if time is something that isn't readily available, there are still needs that can be filled with little effort.
Jennifer Tanner-Jordan - Jennifer attended Jacksonville State University, lives at home with 3 cats and a husband. She is an advocate of spay-neuter.
