Local shelters provide care for all types of animals-adult dogs, puppies, mixed breeds, purebreds, rabbits, hamsters, reptiles, rodents, amphibians, and even birds. The best thing about adopting a shelter animal is they are all screened for behavioral issues and good health, with assistance in neutering and spaying them. But presently most shelters are overloaded, underfunded, and understaffed due to the current recession.
This past year alone over 8 million pets have been left at local animal shelters with only 50% adopted out, meaning that the remaining half were euthanized. With this number continuously rising and less adoptees going out, finding economical ways to support your local animal shelter is one of the most humane ways you can help homeless animals today. Animal shelters rely entirely on the support of caring local animal lovers who are concerned about their community's animal issues, able to help out in many ways.
Help Local Animal Shelters By Being Responsible For Your Own Pets
The most economical way to support your local animal shelter is to be responsible for your own pets so they will not become another casualty for your local animal shelter:
*Make sure they are spayed or neutered.
*Keep current identification on your dog or cat all the time.
*Keep your pet confined in a safe yard or large kennel.
*Supply enough food, water, shelter and vet care.
*Provide your pet with basic obedience training.
*Provide plenty of exercise for our pet (minimum of one hour walking or steady exercising).
*Provide adequate vet care and medical attention.
*Always love your pet and give them lots of attention.
Volunteering At Local Animal Shelters
Free labor from volunteers is always needed from caring citizens. Animal control programs are the responsibility of each individual for their town or city, making sure that animal shelters are sufficiently funded and supported by sufficient staff and volunteers.
To accomplish this, interested volunteers can freely offer their services for the best possible care for the shelter and its animals, making sure the shelters are successful and able to operate to capacity. Many volunteer forms are available to be filled-out online, or by contacting the local shelter directly. Most shelters require Orientation in order to understand what needs to be done at the shelter.
~ Positions open for volunteers will vary depending on each shelter: dog walkers, bathers, groomers, poster distributor, bank collectors, grounds keeper, kennel assistant, office work, and special events:
(1) Dog walkers-as most shelter animals spend time in cages, they need routine exercise and cleaning up after their walk. In many shelters, dog walkers also share responsibilities such as grooming, bathing, and cleaning kennels. The goal of the dog walker is to help socialize the adoptable animal while helping train, walk and play with them to be leash trained and socialized around other animals.
(2) Bathers and groomers enhance the pet's health and appearance by keeping them clean. Their jobs are to brush and comb the animal's fur and remove all ticks, bathe with flea and tick shampoo, and prepare a dog who is awaiting adoption.
(3) Poster (pamphlets, flyers, etc.) distributors will help distribute posters to local businesses as needed, while being required to follow written and oral directions. This individual must be able to work independently and show good work ethics.
(4) Bank collectors go to assigned locations each month and gather money collections donated to the shelter for recording and deposit. Required is excellent math skills and trustworthy work ethics, representing the local animal shelter throughout the community.
(5) Grounds keepers usually perform the shelter's landscaping, maintenance, and other ground duties, based on the individual's skills and abilities.
(6) Kennel assistants clean the animal kennels, maintain sanitation, exercise animals in the kennel areas, brush and feel animals in the kennel areas, assist in evaluating puppies and dogs for adoption, wash kennel dishes, prepare animal food, clean floors and windows in kennel area, etc.
(7) Office workers do filing, typing, mailing, answering telephones, greeting customers, computer data entries, and assist with special shelter projects.
(8) Assistance with special events requires things like taking photographs for posters or holidays, public fundraising, parades, etc.
Donating Goods At Local Animal Shelters
~ Financial Donations
Most local shelters accept cash, checks or credit card donations in any amount. It helps with food bills, as most shelters contract with specific pet food supply organizations to provide a steady nutritious diet. Additionally, it can cost approximately $100 for each shelter animal to become adoptable, ensuring it is healthy and in good shape, with cash going a long ways to prepare each animal for their new home.
~ Donated Goods That May Be Needed
Feeding and watering bowls-stainless steel bowls in 3 quart, 4 quart and 5 quart sizes
Can openers-hand held
Non-edible toys-toys like Kongs or Nylabones, and Miscellaneous cat toys
Blankets-no quilted comforters or fiber-filled
Towels
Sheets
Laundry Detergent
Kuranda Dog Beds-the most durable all-purpose dog beds available (ranges from approximately $60 to $150.00 without fleece pad which is an extra $12-$30)
Cat beds
Medical Supplies-Boxes or cases of disposable gloves; thermometer covers; canine vitamins; heating pads; and disposable gowns
Canned food-Campbell's chicken rice soup; cases of canned dog/cat food
Cat litter
Help Local Animal Shelters Educate The Public
The biggest enemy to animals is ignorance. Local animal shelters are not only responsible for sheltering unwanted animals, but also to provide information to the public about their care and training. Most animal shelters receive information from HSUS, the nation's main advocate for local humane societies. They provide national shelter standards, guidelines and recommendations for the shelter's operation and animal care for not only the shelter but for the public.
This education includes training programs, educational and trade shows for animal shelter professionals, and public outreach for educational programs. Disaster assistance and the care of animals during crises is also provided, such as the rebuilding of animal shelters. They also educate the public for unexpected disaster expenses through local budgets.
Another educational support is through their spaying and neutering programs. With veterinarian schools and local shelters pushing new efforts for disaster areas and local programs, there are always ways to help with these programs to lower the numbers of shelter animals.
Political Support For Local Animal Shelters
The promotion of new laws, state grants, and scholarships can be made available by contacting your local and state legislators and advocates regarding local and state levels for animal welfare. Calling, writing or visiting your representatives provides access to legal matters which are associated with the rights and welfare of animals. This involves issues such as animal abuse, animal cruelty, animal control, laboratory animal welfare, product testing, laboratory animal testing, and the general welfare of animals in general.