There are people who sympathize with the plight of homeless animals but feel powerless to help them because they can't adopt them, often due to allergies, not having an animal-friendly lifestyle or being unable to afford a pet. But there are things you can do to contribute to animals' well-being without becoming a pet owner.
Instructions
1. Donate money or supplies. No matter the size of the donation, every dime helps. Animal charities like the Humane Society of the United States can set up an automatic deduction from your checking or credit card account each month, or you can send donations whenever you prefer. Contact your local animal shelter and see if it needs dog food, cat litter or clean blankets for bedding. Commit to buying food or toys to drop off each month.
2. Volunteer. You can donate your time to walk and groom animals, feed them, clean their pens and play with them at shelters. Writers can create newsletters for organizations. Carpenters can build new pens. Vet techs can donate their skills for animal care.
3. Be an advocate or educator. Speak up when you hear comments like, "Why do we bother saving these animals?" Explain why it is important to spay or neuter pets and how caring for those who can't care for themselves is a reflection of our humanity. Take up a job as an advocate for PETA or another charity to spead the message about animal rights.
4. Start fund-raising or education drives. Work with your local schools and businesses to raise money by having people collect donations or organize activities, such as bake sales and car washes.
5. Sponsor an animal. Places like the Popcorn Park Zoo in New Jersey offer a Share-a-Pet program that lets you sponsor a pet for as long as it needs to live at the shelter. You can even come visit the animal or adopt it if your circumstances allow it.
6. Do something if you see an animal has been abandoned or is homeless. Call an animal control officer. Look for a no-kill shelter to take it in. See if a friend can adopt it. Any action is better than nothing.
7. Recycle for animals. Donation Line gives you the chance to donate your car and turn the funds over to one of its affiliated charities. PetSmart runs a recycling program where it receives a donation for every cell phone and ink-jet cartridge that shoppers drop off.
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