Support Your Local Animal Shelter

How many times have you driven by the SPCA in your area and thought, "Hmm. Maybe I'll go volunteer one day", and then never ended up going. You justified it to yourself by saying that they have plenty of people volunteering there, you saw it yourself. The sad truth is, that shelter did need your help, and the volunteers you saw working there were a handful of regulars who only come in when their jobs aren't calling them. Often times at animal shelters there are too many animals and not enough volunteers. This is the reason 6 to 8 million dogs and cats and the U.S. are put to death. There's just not enough room in the shelters and not enough money to aid the sick and wounded. If you believe in animal rights you would agree that no dog or cat should be euthanized simply because we humans can't find a place in the world for them. As a species we have outgrown ourselves, without leaving enough room for other living creatures. It is our responsibility to make sure that we provide them with a home and food to eat, after all they have nowhere else to go.

What can you do to help? The first and best thing you can do to help your local animal shelter is to adopt an animal. A lot of people think rescue animals are going to be sick, cost them a fortune, or have serious mental issues. I want to squash that myth right now by saying 4 out of 5 dogs at the animal shelters are perfectly healthy, happy, and loving animals. Sure, they've had a hard past but that doesn't mean they aren't idea pets. Not interested in an adult dog or cat?You're in luck. Plenty of careless owners drop litters off at the SPCA all the time, there's certain to be one there waiting for you.

If you can't afford to keep a dog permanently, the other solution is to foster an animal. Shelters will allow qualified applicants to foster an animal for several days, weeks, or months until an owner is found for them. By doing this, you help the cause by taking a financial burden off of the shelter for awhile and save a life by making room for other animals who come in off the streets or out of bad homes. If you have children this is a good way to teach them how to care for, and be responsible for a pet without having for very long.

By donating money you take a load off overburdened shelters. Animal havens have to provide food, water, shelter, towels, medication, shampoo, sheets, beds, shavings for waste, cages, and so much more. Since it is a non-profit organization, the money for these items come strictly from donations. You don't have to donate purely money though. Bring in any of those items, old leashes, dog bowls, or anything else that would be useful, they are more than happy to take them from you.

Lastly, volunteer! Volunteering isn't something that you get no reward from, you can use it as an extracurricular activity when you apply for college or use it as a reference on a job application. By volunteering you help animals and the organization alike. You don't have to go alone, invite your friends and family to come with you. This way you bring in more help and show your community the importance of helping other less fortunate beings, and attract potential adoptions. It's not all work, you can take as much time as you want to love on the animals and spend time with them.

Next time you find yourself sitting at home bored or need some personal references, stop by and see what you can do. You'll feel good about yourself and the animals will thank you. Both of my dogs are rescues and they have been the greatest pets you could ask for.