How Can I Help Animals?

Homeless animals like Gidget the cat need our help. A devestating 10,000 animals die daily in shelters across the U.S. This statistic can be changed though with all of us helping.

You'll find on this page suggestions and resources to make the life of a homeless creature better. After you've finished reading, I hope the next time you hear someone ask the question, "How Can I Help Animals?", you'll know exactly how to respond. There are many people advocating for the animals......here's how you can help.

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Go to your local animal shelter or animal rescue and adopt an animal. Most people who work and volunteer at shelters and rescues may be able to help you pick the right companion for you and your family.

If you already own a dog, bring the dog along with you so they can be tested with the potential adoptee, whether that should be a dog or a cat. Spend time with prospective canine and feline companions to ensure the temperament and energy levels are compatible with your lifestyle.

Read what Cesar Milan has to say about the importance of Adopting a Dog With The Right Energy before choosing the animal you wish to adopt.

(Photo credit Pam Irie)

Will you speak for these animals? Will you be their voice? That is what advocates do. It takes an army of advocates and we need everyone to join us!

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1. DONATE TIME to an animal shelter or an animal rescue.
2. DONATE MATERIALS, supplies, pet food, pet toys, pet bedding to an animal shelter or animal rescue.
3. DONATE MONEY with a regular monthly "subscription" to a favorite animal shelter or animal rescue. Keep your money local so you know exactly how the animals in your area are being helped.
4. DONATE your SKILLS or LABOR! Conduct a fundraiser for the animals. Solicit pet food drives. Establish a pet food bank if there isn't one currently in the area.

   Get a group together and teach others to sew or crochet pet bedding, dog bandannas, ADOPT ME vests for the dogs.

5. DO A DRIVE for old bath towels, blankets, paper towels and bleach. Every animal shelter and animal rescue uses these items and are often in short supply.

Donate bedding for animals like this diy cat hammock. They are simple to sew no matter how skillful a sewist you may be. Statistics prove an animal more relaxed will be able to show his personality more. This does help animals to be adopted faster so they can go to their forever homes, and this frees up space for the next animal to be helped.

As you can see in the picture, the hammocks have corner tabs made of polypro webbing to create a secure hold. This webbing is also an essential material used in the construction of my ADOPT ME vests for dogs. The product is very versatile. I purchase it in either 25 or 50 yard rolls which makes it an excellent bargain.

(Photo via advocate Val Thomsen)

Most animal shelters and animal rescue groups have Wish Lists. These contain items crucial to their operation. Items like: used towels, old blankets and bathroom rugs (non slip backing), paper towels, bleach.

Donations of any of these items keep expenses down so more monies can be utilized into saving more lives. So, when someone asks you, "How can I help animals?".....direct them to the organizations Wish List or Donation Link.

The Animal Shelters or Animal Rescues below are all groups I've worked with and have personally witnessed countless animals saved through their efforts. All of these organizations work tirelessly 24/7 to help the animals. Please support them in any way possible.

Amazon has made it very easy for animal advocates to donate to a specific animal shelter or animal rescue. Non profit organizations and groups will see how easy it is to register online at this link on Amazon to create a gift registry of needed items and supplies.

Just as newlyweds and new parents have a gift registry, the same method is used for animal rescues and animal shelters. With the thousands of vendors on Amazon, the shelters and rescue groups will be able to specify in detail exactly the type, color, size, brand, etc. of food, bedding, flea medicine, pet toys, etc. AND have it delivered right to the front door.

Note: I've personally used the Amazon Wish List Gift Registry to purchase and ship a variety of merchandise to rescues and shelters in the mainland and here in Hawaii. It's so easy! I don't even have to look up the shipping address as the animal rescues and shelters already have it filled out for me! :)

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The Kong Company offers big discounts on slightly imperfect Kong toys for dogs to animal shelters, animal rescues and non-profits groups. They call this program Kong Cares. (It used to be called Kong Seconds). Go HERE for more info.

Many, many animals need our help!

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Perhaps children can successfully teach their parents and siblings about what it means to care for and respect an animal. My young niece received a set of the Vet Volunteers books as a gift and enjoyed them so much. Because of this I purchased a set to donate as part of a fundraising auction for one of the animal rescue groups I advocate for.

Help An Animal - Foster a Cat or Dog

"Sweetie" was surrendered by her owner to a shelter in Texas that was already overcrowded. Though volunteers and shelter workers said Sweetie's name suited her well, many times animals like Sweetie would be euthanized immediately because of overcrowding in these shelters.

The fact that Sweetie only had 3 legs was a strike against her too. However, a good-hearted person in the community was willing to temporarily foster Sweetie until she could be transported to a No Kill shelter in another city where I am so happy to say, she was soon adopted to a wonderful family!

Many, many more lives can be saved if people will foster an animal. Note that you can foster an animal through either an animal rescue or animal shelters, but fosters are needed desperately! You can read more information regarding fostering an animal here.

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All Ages Can Help the Animals

There are so many volunteer jobs available where you can help the animals. (Yes, even the kids can help as the title attests above.) Each organization has different rules, but they all need volunteers.

Inquire at your local animal rescue or animal shelter. Here is the link to the Hawaiian Humane Society's Volunteer page.

(Photo credit Hawaiian Humane Society)

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Pick any of the excellent products below and gift them to a local animal shelter or rescue.