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Helping Your Local Animal Heroes
By Jackie Kelly
We’ve all seen the Sarah McLachlan commercials encouraging us to donate and save abused shelter animals. Those sad, big brown eyes reaching out from the television screen puts a choke hold on the hearts of even the most seasoned veterans. But before you break out your checkbook or load up your minivan with dog food and kitty litter to donate to your local shelter, it is important to find out what they really need.
This originally appeared on Pet360.com
#5 Cleaning Supplies
Basic cleaning supplies are always welcome. Dish-washing liquid is needed for cleaning bowls and kitchen utensils. Laundry detergent is always a hot commodity in an animal shelter, where mountains of laundry are commonplace. And bleach is a required cleaning supply at animal shelters.
#4 Treats
Treats help for training and for rewarding good behavior in the shelter. Unopened jars of peanut butter, meaty type jerky training treats, and unopened bags of cat treats, dental chews, catnip, and other treats make great donations.
#3 Toys
Cat toys, dog toys, rabbit chew sticks, etc., are always welcome. A bored caged animal makes for an awful existence. Having toys for dogs and fuzzy mice or scratching posts for cats helps make their stay at the shelter a little more tolerable. Birds and other small animals will appreciate toy donations as well, so don’t forget to see if the shelter has a need for those, too.
#2 Fresh Linen
If you’re looking to clean out your linen closet, feel free to donate whatever items you no longer need. Clean towels, blankets, and sheets can be used as bedding materials for cats and dogs, so the fluffier the better. Of course, actual dog beds and cat beds are always received with open arms as well. If you have the means to do so, purchasing a fancy orthopedic or heated bed for either dogs or cats would be a fantastic donation, too!
#1 Money!
Monetary donations are always first and foremost on any shelter’s wish list. Monetary donations allow for animal shelters to treat ill or injured animals that come to the shelter as a result of abandonment or cruelty cases. Although most shelters will ask for a surrendering fee to cover basic inoculations upon entry to the shelter, most individuals that are in need of surrendering don’t have the financial means to pay these dues. Additionally, a lot of non-profit animal shelters rely on monetary donations to remain open and to help the community at large.
One Last Thing…
Because your local animal shelter may have more specific needs, please pick up the phone and check with them first. Some animals shelters ask for canned pet food donations, kitty litter, and other essential items. However, unless they ask for specific types of products, it’s best to stick with the generic types of donations we listed here. When in doubt, gift cards and other monetary donations are always accepted — even preferred.
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