Tis the Season of Giving: How You Can Help Local Animal Shelters
The holiday season is the perfect time to give back. As a pet lover, what better way to support animals everywhere than by helping your local pet shelter?
Whether it’s cat shelters, dog shelters, or shelters for other critters, these important places are always in need of donations, volunteers, and community support. And there are all sorts of ways to help!
The team at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital has a few ideas for how you can help make a difference this holiday season.
Tips for How to Help Shelters During the Holidays
Donate Supplies
One of the best ways to help pet shelters during the holidays is by donating supplies. Things like pet food, blankets, cleaning supplies, toys, and grooming tools are always in demand. Before you go to your local pet store or load up your spare gear to donate, contact your local shelter to find out what specific items they need.
Many shelters also accept monetary donations, if that’s an easier route for you to take. The funds often go toward medical care, facility upkeep, and food for the shelter animals.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is another perfect way to give back to animal shelters, especially since many of them rely heavily on volunteers. This is especially true during busy holiday periods when their resources are stretched thin—unfortunately, shelters often see a spike in unhoused pets after the holidays.
You can help by walking dogs, playing with cats, cleaning kennels, or helping with adoption events. What better way to spend an afternoon or weekend day?
Foster a Pet
During the holidays, pet shelters can get overcrowded. This is where fostering can make a huge difference. If you’re a loving pet parent or pet lover who can’t commit to a full adoption but can provide temporary care while a pet waits for a forever home, fostering is a great choice.
And who knows? Maybe your circumstances will change and you’ll find yourself adopting your sweet foster friend!
Spread Awareness
One of the easiest ways to help your local shelter is by spreading the word about its needs. Share posts on social media about upcoming adoption events, volunteer openings, and donation drives. The more people know about the needs of pet shelters, the more help the shelters can get during the holiday season.
Adopt a Pet
If you’re in a position to make a long-term commitment, consider adopting a pet during the holidays. This choice makes an enormous difference, because you save two lives, not one: the pet you adopt and the pet who gets your new furry family member’s spot in the shelter.
If you do decide to foster or adopt a pet, congratulations! You’ve just made a choice that will brighten the holiday for dogs and cats everywhere. The team at MarketPlace Veterinary Hospital can help guide your new pal’s care. From advice to preventive appointments to treatment for medical conditions, we’re here for you and your pet. Call us at (916) 939‑1705 to set up your first appointment!