What YOU can do to help animals

So, you want to help animals? There are many ways you can directly or indirectly help animals ranging from cheap and quick to not so cheap and more time consuming. Don't think that the cheap and quick things are any less important--everything matters! The point is that you are doing something and not everyone can say that! Congratulations!

Below I have a list of things you can do and I will add onto this list whenever I think of something else.

First, do some research on what animal welfare groups and animal shelters exist in your community. (This list through Petfinder.com, lists shelters and animal welfare groups by city and state.)

For animal shelters:

1. FOOD AND TREATS!!
2. Provide newspapers, which can cover the bottom of cages for easy clean up.
3. Donate old towels, blankets, etc used for bedding in cages.
4. Donate spray bottles, which can be filled with the shelter's cleaning liquid. (Different shelters sometimes use different cleaning supplies)
5. Donate paper towels, used to clean up cages and spills.
6. Donate food and water containers, preferably new.
7. Donate laundry soap and dishwasher soap for those shelters with facilities.
8. Donate brooms, mops, etc, depending on how they clean.
9. Donate beds, cloth cubes, anything small to put inside the cage. Some cats like to hide and would need something a little more closed in than just a bed.
10. Donate TOYS!!
11. Donate cages and pet carriers.
12. Many shelters use cardboard boxes as litter boxes and beds (with blankets inside them), they can always use a steady supply of these.
13. Large and small trash bags
14. Ziploc baggies, all sizes.
15. Wet cat and dog food, in a can or pouch.
16. Window perches
17. Scratching posts of all kinds. Click here to see the different types. There are many, many types and each cat has a different preference.
18. Office supplies such as pens, Sharpies, Printer Paper, etc. Check with your local shelter for more specific ideas.
19. Puppy and Kitten milk replacement, again, check with the shelter for which brand and type they prefer.
20. Medical supplies such as gauze and rubbing alcohol, etc.

For outreach programs, such as Spay Neuter Programs, Stray or Feral Cats, chained dogs living outside, etc. Many times the people helped through these are poor and not necessarily motivated to provide their pets with needed items.

1. Collars of all sizes, leashes, muzzles and harnesses.
2. Cat and Dog food.
3. Flea and tick medication
4. Dog houses of all types and sizes.
5. Fencing material
6. Trolley Systems for dogs who must live outside (as alternative to being on stationary chain).
7. Large bowls/buckets for food water for chained dogs
8. Lightweight tie-outs for dogs
9. Chew toys and treats
10. Traps for cats

 

 

Updated Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:58 AM