The needs of animal shelters and pet rescues don’t stop when the holidays are over. If you want to help animal shelters and rescues, here are a few ways to get started.
Adopt a pet or become a foster
Sadly, local shelters and rescue groups are often at capacity. If you want to add a new addition to your family, consider a local group. Be sure to learn about their adoption process while you search for your new pet.
If you are interested in a more temporary situation, fostering a pet is a great alternative. For pets who have trouble adapting to shelter life, animals need to be nursed back to health and kittens and puppies that need extra care, fostering can be a lifesaver. Foster homes are essential part of many rescue groups because they pick up the slack of often over run facilities.
Donate money or your time
Help animal shelters or rescuers pay their bills with a monetary donation for operations, supplies, animal housing, etc. Other donations can include blankets, pet food, toys, etc. Check their websites for wish lists or call ahead to find out what they might need.
Many animal rescues depend on volunteers to help with their business operations or caring for the animals. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and to learn new skills.
Here are some local groups that would love your donations:
- Hilton Head Humane Association: http://www.hhhumane.org/
- Humane Association of the Lowountry: https://halsc.org/
- Palmetto Animal League: https://palmettoanimalleague.org/
- Noah’s Ark Rescue: https://www.noahs-arks.net/
- Jasper Animal Rescue Mission: https://jarmission.org/
Become a brand ambassador
Start by becoming a fan of the animal shelter or pet rescue on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or any other social media. Invite your friends and family to like and follow them. Comment and share their posts to get the word out about new pets up for adoption. Give them a shout-out on your own social media and tag them.
Make their jobs easier
Does your dog or cat have all of their vaccines, microchip and ID tags? Keep your pet up to date on all of their medical needs and ensure they are neutered.
