Did you know that there are over 700,000 animals in shelters in Canada alone? That number doubles for the UK and doubles again for the US. With so many animals in shelters, what can we do this holiday season to support our shelters? Well, that’s what we’re going to discuss in this post.
Giving to Animal Shelters – Financial Donations
Cash is King! Donating money to your local shelter or Humane Society will help the shelter pay for various operating expenses, from veterinarian care to office supplies and everything in between.
Another way to donate is by purchasing from their gift shop or a charity shop. In many cases, these charitable shops allocate up to 100% of the proceeds to the animal shelter. It is a win-win: you get an item you need, and the shelter benefits from the sale.
A third way to make a financial donation this holiday season is through my Etsy shop. 100% of the profits from my Etsy shop between now and midnight (Atlantic time), December 25, 2022, will be donated to the Humane Society of Canada. In my Etsy shop, you will find digital and downloadable dog journals and a 2023 planner. So, suppose you’re looking for a last-minute (or last-second) holiday gift that is inexpensive (some items are under $5.00) and supports shelter animals. In that case, this may be the solution for you!
Giving to Animal Shelters – Donating Time
If you prefer to volunteer at an animal shelter, visit one in person first. The holiday season might be busy for the shelters receiving well-intentioned people wanting to see the animals, so I recommend calling before going.
Suppose you’re interested in volunteering on a more regular basis. In that case, typically, many animal shelters require a minimum time commitment of 6 months or more. The volunteer activities can range from cleaning kennels to helping to feed animals to general office duties. If you can commit, this will make an excellent New Year’s resolution and help you become familiar with the shelter in your area and the people and animals in the shelter.
Finally, many animal shelters have an animal foster program. Suppose you are not ready to adopt an animal full-time. In that case, becoming a foster pet parent may be an excellent option for you. You can provide the animal with a loving home before they find its forever family.
Giving to Animal Shelters – Donating Supplies
Did you know that many animal shelters have wish lists? These wish lists include office supplies, gently used blankets, food, treats, etc. I recommend you visit the shelter’s website to see if they have a wish list and confirm with the shelter if their wish list is up to date. After all, the idea here is to provide the items they need now.
Conclusion
With hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of animals in shelters this holiday season, there are many ways that we can help to make their stay a bit more bearable. Whether you can make a financial donation, donate your time, or give gently used items, every little bit helps!
