Saving Homeless Animals - How You Can Help

Haven’t we all said at one time or another, “I wish I could save them all?” I know I have. While I know this is not possible, it does feel good knowing that, as a volunteer, I do help to save some. My involvement as a rescue volunteer happened quite by accident. I started small by offering to walk dogs at an adoption event. Over time I made some contacts in the rescue community and was asked to do home visits with potential foster and adoptive individuals and families.

Since that time, I have also started doing volunteer transports, helping to bring shelter dogs to their new foster or adoptive homes. It’s a lot of fun, especially when there are puppies involved, and it is something anyone with a license and a car can do.

Want to help? There are countless ways and even if you do not have a lot of spare time, every little bit can make a big difference. Here are a few ideas.
-          Organize a collection drive of food and supplies for your local shelter or rescue.
-          Clean out your linen closet and donate blankets and towels to your local shelter or to an organization that distributes them to rescues.
-          Offer to spend an hour or two each week walking dogs at a shelter.
-          If you sew or knit, perhaps you can make coats or sweaters for shelter dogs.
-          Rescues need people to help with fundraising, bookkeeping, etc. Whatever skill you may have, chances are that a shelter or rescue can use your help.
-          Have a party and ask people to bring a gift for a shelter pet.

When my cousin got married, he and his new wife asked for donations to a charity of the guest’s choice in lieu of gifts. I thought this was a very nice idea (surprise, surprise, my gift went to a pit bull rescue in his home state), and last holiday season I asked my family to donate to a local rescue instead of giving me gifts – a tradition I plan to continue.

Use your imagination. The sky’s the limit. Even if you can’t foster or adopt, you can still make a difference in the lives of homeless animals. Contact your local shelter or animal rescue organization and ask what you can do to help – then do it! You won’t believe how good it will make you feel.

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