According to the Helen Woodward Animal Center, more people bring home a new pet during the holiday season than at any other time of year. In 2021, an estimated 1,062,127 animals were adopted during the holiday season across the United States. As many people and companies turn their attention to the holidays, SDC, as an office with a few official “cat employees” in residence, has a history of supporting local animal shelters both at the holidays and throughout the year.
If you are looking for an organization to support on Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2023, your local animal rescue shelter may be just the cause. Animal shelters often struggle to keep up with demand during the holiday season. There are several ways that you can help.
Shelters are always in need of money and supplies to maintain the daily care and health of their animals. Consider making a financial donation. Donations could be made in honor of a special person or pet in your life. You can also donate supplies such as food, kitty litter, detergents, or even toys and treats. Before donating, check with your local shelter to see what supplies they may need. Shelters often have websites with wish lists of items. If you aren’t able to shop for supplies, many shelters accept donations of gently used clean, washable blankets, towels, or pet beds. Blankets are useful in the winter months when it may get cold in kennels. They are especially nice for older animals who may have creaky joints or shy cats who want a comfortable, safe place to peek out at the world. Know what NOT to give, such as prescription pet medication, homemade dog or cat treats, and opened bags of pet food.
Shelters also rely on the help of volunteers. This is especially true at the holiday season when many year-long volunteers would like time to spend with their own friends and families, potentially leaving shelters short staffed. You may be asked to do daily chores or just to give pets a little love and attention. The staff and furry residents will appreciate your time and help. If you can’t donate time, which can be especially scarce at the holidays, you can show your appreciation for shelter staff with packaged cookies from a bakery or gift cards to a local restaurant or coffee shop.
Some animal rescues and shelters look for foster families to temporarily care for pets around the holidays—especially if space at their facility is limited. If you are up for a bigger commitment, this may be another way to provide help. Many animals rescues and shelters also cover the costs of fostering a dog or cat—from food to any medical attention the pet may need while in your care.
The holidays are a good time to think about giving back—from remembering the special people in our lives to the animals that also enrich our lives. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated.”
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Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Home 4 the Holidays.” https://animalcenter.org/home-4-the-holidays/. Last accessed October 5, 2022.
PetPro Connect. “How to Give to Animal Shelters for the Holidays.” December 15, 2020. https://petproconnect.com/blog/how-to-give-to-animal-shelters-holidays/. Last accessed October 5, 2022.
Singer, Peter. “Moral Progress and Animal Welfare.” ABC, July 31, 2011. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/moral-progress-and-animal-welfare/10101318. Last accessed October 5, 2022.