If you’re an animal lover, there are many ways to help homeless pets in your community and beyond.
1. Don’t Shop, Adopt!
If you’re considering getting a pet, don’t shop, adopt! Despite what they may tell you or advertise, pet stores get their puppies exclusively from puppy mills.
While there are four to five million dogs killed at shelters every year, there are four million dogs bred annually at puppy mills. These dogs live in deplorable conditions: crammed in cages, covered in urine and feces, often debarked and suffering from horrible medical conditions. Especially the female breeding dogs, who produce endless litters and are frequently dumped in shelters to be killed when no longer able to do their “job.”
You might surprised that approximately 25 to 35% in shelters today are purebreds - there are also many breed specific rescues. Between the two, you’ll find just the type of dog you’re looking for! Of course, don’t forget the lovable mixed breed or mutt, who is just as fine a companion as their purebred counterparts.
By adopting rather than shopping, you’ll help to end puppy mills forever and save a life in the process.
For more information on puppy mills, visit:
www.banpuppymills.com
For more information on adoption, visit: Google the specific breed your looking for, add rescue and your town. (For example: German Shepherd Rescue, Los Angeles, CA) Whether it’s a dog, cat, or rabbit, owners need to spay or neuter their pets. Many of the millions of animals killed at shelters every year are the offspring of the family pet who couldn’t find a home. Others often end up as strays. Spay/neuter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for pets. It also extends the life of your pet by reducing the risk of certain diseases, as well as decreasing aggression in males and eliminating females going into “heat.” For more information on spaying and neutering, visit the Humane Society website at www.hsus.org
The cost of spay/neuter is small in comparison to the benefits. However, there are many programs available to offset the cost of the procedure, especially in lower income areas. For more information, visit www.spayusa.org.
3. Keep Your Pet or Re-Home Them Responsibly Pets are family members. Please don’t just abandon them. If you’re in a financially tough spot and are considering giving up your pet, please do everything in your power to re-home them responsibly. A shelter should be your last option. First, ask friends and family members to take your pet in, either permanently or temporarily, or ask for monetary support until you get back on your feet. If your pet has medical issues, explain your situation to your veterinarian and ask for extended payments or discounts. Often, a matter of a few months is all it takes to regain financial stability and resume pet ownership. Second, advertise online on www.craigslist.org and in your local paper for a responsible home for your pet. Create flyers to post around town, such as at markets or the post office, with an upbeat bio and photos of your pet. Be honest about any potential issues (not good with kids = should be in adults only home) and highlight what makes them special. Do a home check and make sure the prospective adopter and your pet are a match.
Third, search for a pet-friendly apartment or house rental if you have to move. There are more out there than you may think. For tips on moving with a pet, visit www.123movers.com and click on “Moving with Pets” on right sidebar . For pet-friendly rentals, visit www.petrent.net or www.pets911.com and click on “Pet Friendly Rentals”.
Lastly, contact Best Friends Animal Helpline. Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill rescue in the country and has dedicated staff members for issues just like these. For more information, email nmhp@bestfriends.org 4. Feral Cat Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Instead, consider participating in a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, which reduces the number of feral cats without killing them. Many veterinarians will perform a free spay or neuter on feral cats, which are then released back where they were found. For step by step instructions and more information on feral cats in general, visit www.alleycatallies.org
5. Volunteer At/Donate To a Rescue or Shelter Many rescues and shelters are critically understaffed. That means the animals, who are already in a stressful situation, don’t get as much attention or enrichment as they need. You can make a difference in their lives by volunteering at your local rescue or shelter: walking or playing with dogs, grooming or petting cats, cleaning kennels, or helping with fundraising and adoption events. While shelter animals are often in the most need, it can be emotionally difficult to volunteer where animals are killed. I volunteer at The Brittany Foundation, a no-kill dog rescue in Agua Dulce, California, because I know the dogs there have a forever home if they don’t get adopted. Consider what your sensitivity level is before choosing a place to volunteer at. Non-profit rescues also rely almost exclusively on private donations to continue their life-saving operations. Consider donating a lump sum, sponsoring a pet for $10 or more a month, or asking the rescue what they may need (dog food, leashes and collars, pet beds, etc.) and donating an item or two. If you’re good at fundraising, consider hosting an event in a rescue’s honor and donating the proceeds. For more information on finding a rescue to volunteer at, Google “animal rescues and shelters in your city or town” or visit www.petfinder.com and enter your zip code. This will bring up available pets in your area, as well as shelter or rescue information for you to contact.
www.petfinder.com
www.adoptapet.com
To search for rescues in your area:
2. Spay and Neuter Your Pet
With the current economic crisis, a record number of family pets are being surrendered to shelters across the country. This often means a death sentence for Fido or Fluffy, especially if they are a senior or hard to place breed.
Many neighborhoods have stray cats, most of which are feral or unsocialized. While your first instinct may be to take them to your local shelter, please don’t. Over 70% percent of cats brought into the animal control system are killed, often because they are feral and considered inadaptable.
