Volunteer your time Help walk dogs, socialize cats, clean kennels, fold laundry, organize supplies, or assist at adoption events. Shelters often need reliable volunteers more than anything.
Foster a pet If your situation allows, fostering gives an animal a break from the shelter environment while helping them become more adoptable. Some shelters provide the food and supplies.
Share adoptable pets on social media Follow your local shelter and regularly share posts about animals looking for homes. One share could put the right pet in front of their future family. Social media is also an effective way to build local support for shelter animals.
Take better photos of shelter animals Ask your shelter if volunteers can help photograph adoptable pets. A great photo can make a dog or cat stand out online.
Write adoption bios If you’re a good writer, offer to help create engaging descriptions of animals waiting for homes.
Help with adoption events Shelters frequently need people to greet visitors, answer basic questions, handle paperwork, or help animals during adoption events.
Donate items you already have Before buying anything, check your home for things the shelter accepts—clean towels, blankets, newspapers, unopened pet food, toys, crates, or office supplies. Importantly, ask the shelter what they currently need first, because requested items vary.
Organize a free supply drive Ask friends, neighbors, coworkers, or your workplace to contribute items they already have or no longer need. You can collect everything and deliver it to the shelter.
Use your skills Are you good at photography, graphic design, writing, bookkeeping, social media, carpentry, landscaping, or website work? Ask the shelter whether they could use your particular skill.
Transport animals Some rescues need volunteers to transport animals to veterinary appointments, foster homes, adoption events, or other locations.
Help lost pets get home Join local lost-and-found pet groups and help share posts about missing or found animals.
Network adoptable pets Tell people you know about specific animals that might be a good fit. Instead of simply saying “adopt from a shelter,” match animals with people who are actually looking for a particular type of pet.
Help with enrichment Ask whether the shelter has volunteers who can spend time playing with, brushing, training, or simply sitting with animals. Human interaction can be extremely valuable for shelter pets.
Become an advocate for the shelter Follow its social accounts, comment on and share posts, attend community events, and encourage local businesses to partner with it.
Ask your employer to help Even if you can’t donate personally, you might be able to get your workplace involved with a supply drive, volunteer day, adoption event, or employee volunteer program.
❤️ One of the easiest things you can do
Pick one shelter animal every week and share its adoption profile.
You don’t have to donate money, volunteer for hours, or make a major commitment. You’re simply helping an animal’s story reach more people.
