Surely if you are an animal lover you have ever wondered how you could do more for them. It is not uncommon to find news about abandoned or abused dogs and cats with terrible stories that need help to recover and find a new home. You know about the work of different animal protection groups and you would undoubtedly like to be part of that movement, but you have not yet decided to take the step. So what can you do?
In this article on our site we explain how to help animal shelters so that you can contribute your grain of sand depending on your current situation. Of course, most of the aid that we will share is for both pet protection organizations and foundations, shelters and reserves for rescued animals that cannot be adopted, but need help to be returned to their habitats or to receive the necessary care when they cannot be adopted. are releasable.
Choose the animal protection association
First of all, once you have decided to lend your help, you should know the difference between a kennel and an animal shelter The Kennels usually receive public subsidies to take care of the collection of dogs and cats from a certain territory. Although the animal movement presses for zero sacrifice to be fulfilled in all, the truth is that, beyond the legal time in which the animal must be in the facilities in case its owner appears, they can be sacrificed. This does not mean that all kennels systematically slaughter when the animal arrives on a certain day, but, in general, it is rare that in this type of center there are infants, patients or animals that require some intervention… It is very important, therefore, Therefore, helping to empty the kennels and, in fact, there are associations that precisely focus their efforts on this.
But perhaps you prefer to promote another type of treatment towards animals in which their sacrifice is never considered if it is not for strictly humanitarian reasons. For this reason, we will focus in the following sections on explaining how to help animal shelters that have implemented the zero slaughter policy.
Volunteer at animal centers
When talking about how to help animal shelters, many people think only of the financial contribution. And although money is vital to be able to continue with their work, there are other ways to help that do not involve contributing money if you are not in a position to do so. To do this, it is best to contact the protector in question directly and ask what they need.
Many are looking for volunteers to come from time to time to walk the dogs, to brush them or request drivers to be able to make transfers, especially the vet. But there are many more tasks that, although they do not involve direct care of the animals, are equally essential for the proper functioning of the shelter. For example, make repairs on campus, improve computing, print ormake posters , attend stalls in markets, take care of social networks, etc. Value what you can or are good at doing and offer your services. By the way, contact before you go. If you show up unannounced, it's likely that they won't be able to attend to you.
Find out more in this article: "What does a volunteer do at an animal shelter?"
Be a foster home
But if direct contact with animals is your thing, you have the option of being a foster home. This way of helping, which is being offered by more and more shelters, consists of taking care of an animal picked up in your own home while a home cannot be found for it. It is a very satisfying activity. Taking in an animal, sometimes in poor physical or psychological condition, recovering it and delivering it to a home where it will continue to be cared for is a very rewarding experience, but also a very hard one. In fact, it is not uncommon for the host to end up adopting the host given the impossibility of letting him go. On the other hand, some people start with fostering to find out if they could take care of an animal permanently.
If you are interested in this option, discuss the conditions with the corresponding protector. Normally, they bear all the expenses, but on numerous occasions the host decides to assume them as additional help. Some protectors even pay. Of course, it is the protector who manages the adoption. But if you still have doubts about whether or not to be a foster home, in the following sections we explain how to help animal shelters in other less committed ways.
Become a godfather or godmother
Sponsor an animal as a shelter is an increasingly popular option. Each protector has its own rules in this regard, which will have to be consulted, but, in general, it is about choosing one of the collected animals and paying a monthly or annual amount to help defray its expenses. Normally, in exchange you receive timely information, photographs, videos and you even have the possibility of visiting the chosen one. If you are interested in how to help abandoned animals, this can be a good alternative, since it allows you to establish a special relationship with an animal, but without making the commitment to take it home.
Donate materials or money
Surely if you have wondered how to help animal shelters, you have already considered the possibility of becoming a member. It is a very good way to contribute to its maintenance with the amount and frequency you choose Remember that contributions to NGOs are deducted on the income statement, with which will cost you even less.
It is normal to associate, but the protectors also accept specific donations, especially when they have to deal with an emergency. Of course, you have to know that to organize it is much better for them to have partners because that way they know what money they have and when. In this sense, more and more protectors, reserves and shelters are implementing the so-called "teaming" in their donation system, which consists of making micro-donations of just €1 a month Although it seems like a very small amount, if we add up all the monthly micro-donations, it is possible to greatly help the animals that reside in the shelters. Therefore, it is a much more accessible way of helping them for all those people who do not have resources or time. If you can, team up with one or more protectors.
Another way to help that some shelters offer is to buy products they have for sale, such as t-shirts, calendars, lottery, promotional items, second hand etc In addition, donations are not only economic. These associations have very numerous and diverse needs. For example, winter blankets, collars and leashes, food, dewormers, etc. In fact, many even have a list of products they need on platforms like Amazon. Ask beforehand so they can tell you what's urgent.
Adopt, don't buy
Finally, don't hesitate and, if you can, adopt. Of all the ways that we have explained on how to help animal protectors, associations or shelters, taking care of one of their collections is the best and, perhaps for this reason, the most difficult and scarce. But adopt only if you can truly commit to the care of that animal. Only if you have the time and the necessary resources. If you are not sure, try to be a foster home first. And, if you can't decide, you always have the option of spreading the word about adopting versus buying animals to help raise awareness. See What to consider before adopting a dog.
Share all the help that exists is also a way of helping because you allow other people who may have the necessary resources to do a volunteer or a donation.
