Adopting or fostering a rescue dog or cat, volunteering at an animal shelter, and spaying and neutering your animals are just a few of the ways that you can save the lives of domestic animals.
Dogs, cats, cockatoos, bearded dragons, pigs, ferrets – think of any type of pet, and we’ll show you one that needs a loving home. According to recent statistics, there are 7 million homeless pets in the United States right now – any idea how many critters that is? Add up the two-legged populations of Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, and you’re pretty much there.
Even if you don’t have room in your home for one of these neglected pets, we’re sure you’ve got room in your heart – here are a few ways you can help out.
1. Adopt from a shelter. It’s an obvious one, but it’s the single greatest thing you can do to help reduce the problem. Before you visit a breeder or pet store, stop by your local shelter for a visit with the animals there. Any of them would be grateful for a second chance at the good life.
2. Foster. Already got your own menagerie? Travel a lot? There’s any number of good excuses for not taking in a new permanent family member – but that doesn’t mean you can’t give an animal a nice vacation until she finds a forever home.
3. Volunteer at a shelter. Does your apartment have a strict no-pets policy? No problem – there are plenty of other ways to help. From walking dogs to cuddling with cats, animal shelters can always use a few extra hands. Stop in at your local shelter and see what you can do.
4. Spay and neuter your pets. Animal overpopulation is a major problem throughout the world – don’t add your own litter to the mix.
5. Donate to an animal welfare organization. Even if you don’t have the time or space to help an animal firsthand, you can still support one with your checkbook. Donate $20 to your local shelter to help purchase food and bedding, or to a national organization like the ASPCA or the Humane Society, where your dollars will aid the fight to give every homeless animal the great life it deserves.