Tis the season when we bundle up in our big coats and hurry from store to store in search of gifts for our friends and family. Many of us will remember to toss coins into the red kettle as we dash past the bell ringers. While we are sharing the joy of the season with our neighbors and co-workers, the coming winter months are difficult times for stray and homeless pets.
This is a crucial time of year to remember your local animal shelter.
A few simple acts of kindness and generosity can make a big difference. Here are some of the ways you can help:
Give to your local animal shelter.
Charitable donations are tax-deductible. Animal shelters are locally operated, so your money will stay in your local community. If you are financially embarrassed to be a little short on cash, there are many other items that most shelters need. Call your local animal shelter and ask what you can offer, but most shelters need food, old blankets, towels and newspapers.
Volunteer to help for a few hours at your local animal shelter.
You don’t have to be a veterinarian or have a lot of specialized knowledge to lend a hand. Animal shelters need help with bathing and grooming the animals, walking the dogs, and many other tasks. Recently, we have been going to our local shelter just to help by petting the cats, and everybody has loved it (especially the cats). Offer to stuff envelopes for a mailing. Ask what needs to be done.
Adopt your next pet from your local animal shelter.
Then, be a responsible pet owner. Spay and neuter your pets. Keep ID tags on your cats and dogs at all times, even on indoor animals. Supervise your pets so that they can’t stray out of your yard. Teach your children to treat all animals with kindness, and set an example in your own behavior.
Share these ideas with your neighbors and friends.
Encourage them to donate to your local animal shelter, too. (The Humane Society of the United States is NOT affiliated with your local shelter and does NOT provide funds for maintaining and operating any animal shelters!) Encourage each other to report suspected animal abuse to local law enforcement.
Help raise funds for your local animal shelter.
Join in a fundraiser — or start your own event — to help your local animal shelter. Need ideas? How about a car wash? Or better yet, host a DOG wash! Sponsor a ‘pet party’ (with or without costumes) with prizes for “Best tricks” or “Pet / Owner Look-Alike” or other events. Host a bake sale to benefit your local shelter, with homemade pet treats.
Two thirds of American households have pets. So while we are wishing “Merry Christmas” to our neighbors, let’s remember our furry friends. They depend on us to make their homes happy and comfortable.
To find a collie rescue mission in your area, visit www.CollieRescue.us
About the Author:
Ann Wamack is a writer for Caitlyn’s Two Paws Up Pet Site. The website is sponsored by a petsitting service in White County, Arkansas.
![Velando sus sueños [ROUGH COLLIE] Abril 2012](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8121405854_705bcc050b_s.jpg)
![Close up de nena [ROUGH COLLIE] Marzo 2012](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8121405684_49fb7c19c3_s.jpg)
How to Support Your Local Animal Shelter
Photo by Kimbospacenut
Tis the season when we bundle up in our big coats and hurry from store to store in search of gifts for our friends and family. Many of us will remember to toss coins into the red kettle as we dash past the bell ringers. While we are sharing the joy of the season with our neighbors and co-workers, the coming winter months are difficult times for stray and homeless pets.
This is a crucial time of year to remember your local animal shelter.
A few simple acts of kindness and generosity can make a big difference. Here are some of the ways you can help:
Give to your local animal shelter.
Charitable donations are tax-deductible. Animal shelters are locally operated, so your money will stay in your local community. If you are financially embarrassed to be a little short on cash, there are many other items that most shelters need. Call your local animal shelter and ask what you can offer, but most shelters need food, old blankets, towels and newspapers.
Volunteer to help for a few hours at your local animal shelter.
You don’t have to be a veterinarian or have a lot of specialized knowledge to lend a hand. Animal shelters need help with bathing and grooming the animals, walking the dogs, and many other tasks. Recently, we have been going to our local shelter just to help by petting the cats, and everybody has loved it (especially the cats). Offer to stuff envelopes for a mailing. Ask what needs to be done.
Adopt your next pet from your local animal shelter.
Then, be a responsible pet owner. Spay and neuter your pets. Keep ID tags on your cats and dogs at all times, even on indoor animals. Supervise your pets so that they can’t stray out of your yard. Teach your children to treat all animals with kindness, and set an example in your own behavior.
Share these ideas with your neighbors and friends.
Encourage them to donate to your local animal shelter, too. (The Humane Society of the United States is NOT affiliated with your local shelter and does NOT provide funds for maintaining and operating any animal shelters!) Encourage each other to report suspected animal abuse to local law enforcement.
Help raise funds for your local animal shelter.
Join in a fundraiser — or start your own event — to help your local animal shelter. Need ideas? How about a car wash? Or better yet, host a DOG wash! Sponsor a ‘pet party’ (with or without costumes) with prizes for “Best tricks” or “Pet / Owner Look-Alike” or other events. Host a bake sale to benefit your local shelter, with homemade pet treats.
Two thirds of American households have pets. So while we are wishing “Merry Christmas” to our neighbors, let’s remember our furry friends. They depend on us to make their homes happy and comfortable.
To find a collie rescue mission in your area, visit www.CollieRescue.us
About the Author:
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