Animal shelters offer vital services in the United States, providing food and shelter for the nation’s homeless companion animals. Roughly 4.1 million pets are adopted from animal shelters each year, including 2.1 million cats and two million dogs. An additional 810,000 animals are returned to their owners after shelters take in lost pets as strays.
Unfortunately, most animal shelters operate with limited resources, budget, and staff members. Individuals can support their local animal shelters in several ways.
Anyone ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet should consider adopting from a local animal shelter. Research indicates that the homeless animal population in the United States could be as high as 70 million, though only about 6.5 million animals make it to shelters. Approximately 920,000 shelter animals, comprising 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats, are euthanized each year.
Online tools can help individuals and families decrease the number of dogs and cats in American animal shelters by finding local shelters with animals ready for adoption. Services such as Shelter Pet Project allow viewers to see specific dogs, cats, and other animals at nearby shelters.
However, families should not rush into a pet adoption without considering the long-term expenses and time investment needed to care for a full-time pet. Those not ready to commit to raising an animal can discuss foster options with a shelter. Foster families alleviate space and resource issues at shelters. Foster families may choose to care for an injured or elderly animal or simply provide a temporary home for an animal up for adoption. Families who find themselves in a new situation that accommodates a pet can work with the shelter to transition from a foster situation to an adoption.
Not every household is prepared for the responsibilities of raising an animal. In this case, a person can make a donation to the shelter of their choice.
Shelters use monetary donations for various expenses, including operational costs, staff training, supplies, and community outreach programs. Donations also improve the lives of animals. Shelters may also accept pet accessories, toys, towels, supplies, and food.
People who cannot afford to donate to an animal shelter or want to take a more active role in supporting local animals can volunteer at a shelter. Volunteers may perform clerical work, answer phones, clean animal areas, or work directly with animals, such as taking dogs for walks.
Similarly, individuals can support local animal shelters by spreading the word about services and pets available for adoption. By following local shelters on Facebook and other social media platforms, individuals can raise awareness for homeless animals in the area and encourage others to donate or volunteer their time.
Finally, individuals can serve their local animal shelters by being better pet parents. For example, all pet parents should strongly consider the benefits of spaying and neutering. In addition to health and behavioral benefits, these procedures help maintain the nation’s pet population. Short of these ideas, individuals can call a local shelter and ask about their most pressing areas of need.
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