8 Ways How to Help Animal Shelters During COVID-19
Adopt a shelter dog day is April 30th but if you’re like many of us, you’re wondering how you can help your local animal shelter during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Since many of us can’t drop off supplies or volunteer to walk dogs, play with cats or clean out crates, we came up with a list of ways you can help your local dog shelter during the COVID-19 crisis:
Foster a Pet
Some shelters are asking people to foster a pet to reduce the caretaking burden on staff and offer a temporary loving home to their animals. Call your local shelter to see if they are doing this and could use foster “parents.” If you personally can’t foster right now, try to get the word out on social media to help every pet find a loving home.
Donate
Most animal shelters are nonprofits and could use extra funds during this crisis—and afterwards. Go to your favorite animal shelter’s website to see if they are taking donations and give if you can afford to during this time. Search for “shelters near me” online if you don’t have a particular facility in mind to see who could use financial assistance. You could also create a ‘Fundraiser’ on Facebook to get your friends & family involved to raise even more!
Another way to help your shelter is to set aside a bag for donations. Gather old towels, bath rugs and linens to donate to an animal shelter when they open again. Most shelters will list what they are in need of!
Fulfill Needed Items on their Amazon Wish List
Google the name of your shelter and “wish list” to see what they need the most right now. They’ll usually have a direct link to their Amazon wish list and outline the supplies they need shipped to their animal shelter. You won’t even need to leave your house to help!
Use AmazonSmile
Use AmazonSmile to donate to your favorite shelter. Add your local shelter to AmazonSmile so they get some money—about 0.5% of eligible purchases—when you shop. Every little bit helps!
Craft a Toy for Kittens or Treat Dispensers for Dogs
Follow your shelter on social media and see if they are posting what they need on their pages and feeds. Some shelters are asking volunteers to craft toys out of paper towels and make treat dispensers or dog poop bag carriers while they are at home that can be dropped off at a later date when we’re no longer sheltering in place. Search online for DIY dog toys and you can learn how to make rope toys and treat dispensers.
Use the Wooftrax Walk for a Dog App
This app raises money for your favorite animal shelter based on the amount of miles you and your pup rack up while using the free app. You’ll both get exercise and feel good about giving back while you walk.
Volunteer with the Shelter
Although you might not be able to give hands-on assistance in person, look to your skills, talents and abilities for ways you can help. Ask if the shelter could use help making calls to adopters, writing bios for cats and dogs for their website, working on marketing materials, or simply sharing their needs on social media. Once this crisis is over, commit to a few hours each month at your local shelter for a rewarding experience.
Adopt an Animal
The best way to celebrate Adopt A Shelter Dog Day? By adopting a dog from a shelter! If your social media feeds have been flooded with images of friends that just brought home dogs and cats, chances are, they adopted their pet. Call your local shelter to see if they are still processing adoptions now and make an appointment to meet your newest family member!