by Pat Gray

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 29, 2009

Along with everyone else, animal rescue groups and shelters are suffering from the current economic depression. Actually, they're suffering from a triple whammy - donations and contributions are down, the number of pets being surrendered and abandoned are up and fewer people are adopting.

You may have been hit by the depression too, but if you have a bit of time on your hands and want to help, here's how you can make a difference with a minimum of expense.

1) Clean-up Crew
One thing that shelters always need is cleaning. Runs, cat boxes, public areas, grounds - the offices and restrooms - need cleaning on a daily or at least a regular basis. It isn't tough to learn how - all that's required is willingness and occasionally a strong stomach - and you can clean or tidy almost anything.

Apart from the gas to get to the shelter, the cost is minimal - just put on some old clothes and offer your services. If you have some spare cleaning supplies or an old vacuum cleaner or mop, they might be useful too.

2) Fostering
Fostering an animal is a wonderful thing to do, and the costs (food, vet bills, medicines) are usually covered by the shelter or rescue group you'll be helping. Yes, you may become attached to your charge, but the satisfaction of finding a forever-home for a homeless animal outweighs the sadness of the parting. Most people who adopt a fostered animal are more than willing to keep the foster "parent" posted on the animal's progress, so you never really loose touch.

And when one pet finds a home, there is always another to take their place in your heart.

3) Transportation
If you have a vehicle, especially if you have a large vehicle, you may be invaluable to a shelter. Transporting animals to the vets and to adoption events, even delivering adopted pets cross-state or cross-country is a great way to help. If you are a frequent traveler, volunteer on PetFinders or AdoptAPet. In many cases, the cost of gas will be covered, and if nothing else, you can claim volunteer mileage on your tax returns at the end of the year.

4) Fund-Raising
Raising money is an almost full-time job for most shelters, and may be even more important than cleaning and fostering. If you have a business or a garage sale, put out a can to collect spare change. If your local shelter is having a fund-raising or adoption event, volunteer to run a booth to sell items, collect donations or run a raffle.

5) Education
Shelters and rescue groups spend most of their time raising money and saving lives, and have little energy for the important work of education. People - citizens and government officials - need to understand the issues of animal welfare, homelessness, puppy mills, affordable medical care, pound seizure and abuse. From writing letters to attending rallies to talking to groups of all ages, educating people - changing peoples perceptions of animals and owners - may very well save more lives than taking in strays and cleaning cat boxes.

If nothing else, talk to your friends about their choices - if you know of someone who's looking for a new pet, urge them to look in a shelter or on PetFinders first.


Even if you're out of work and out of money, you can help your local shelter. And you never know, you may find a furry friend for yourself - if nothing else you will make a lot of innocent lives a lot happier

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