Helping Homeless Pets Over the Holidays

Homeless pets need help year round every year. But this year more than ever, homeless pets need our help. Many pets have lost their homes due to job loss and other financial concerns. Here are some ways to help make sure they have a soft bed to lay in and yummy food to eat over the holidays.

Volunteer at your local shelter– Even during the pandemic, there are ways to volunteer. many shelters have designated volunteers days. There are lots of ways to volunteer online, too. You can share pets and their bios on social media and network them to help them find their forever home. A good picture and a great bio do wonders for helping pets get adopted. You can also volunteer to take phone calls, screen applications and return e-mails form prospective adopters from the comfort of your home.

Foster a homeless pet- If you are staying home over the holidays, consider contacting your local rescue or animal shelter to temporarily (or permanently) foster a pet. There is nothing more rewarding than bringing a pet into your home for the TLC we all deserve over the holidays. This year is the perfect time with so many of us not being able to travel over the holiday season. It helps everyone, including get to know the pet better for their forever home and who know, maybe you will fall in love?

Start a donation drive– Animal shelters and rescues always need donations. Commonly requested items include bedding, toys, food, treats and collars. Monetary donations are always appreciated.  You can share your drive on social media and you can start a collection yourself. People can also donate directly to the shelter. There are many ways to donate online these days in case people are hesitant to leave the house.

Sponsor a Pet– Many shelter offer the option of sponsoring a pet by donating to cover their adoption fee for a lucky family. You can also sponsor by donating food, vaccinations or sterlilization for a specific pet.

Adopt a Pet– With the quiet holidays this year and so many of us working from home, now is the perfect time to adopt! Animals are not gifts so make a decision as a family to adopt. Many rescues offer gift certificates so you can find your furry friend when you are ready.

This year has been hard on us all but there is nothing better than helping those in need. There are over 7 million pets in shelters every year. Let’s all step up to the plate and help these deserving pets find their forever homes.