how to donate to animal shelters

Surprising Ways to Donate to An Animal Shelter.

• Donate your time. Volunteering for a shelter is one of the most impactful ways to get involved. Many shelters need help with cleaning and caring for ...
• Donate your skills.
• Donate your pets’ gently-used items.
• Donate a place in your home.
• Donate part of your wedding or event registry.

Full Answer

How does a volunteer add value to an animal shelter?

Items from Your Home That You Can Donate to An Animal Shelter. Soft Goods: Towels and washcloths. Blankets and sheets. Pet beds that can be laundered. Extra fabric (for bedding and making toys) Heating pads or heated pet beds. Toys, Training, and Enrichment Items: Soft toys that can be laundered.

How to volunteer at your local animal shelter?

How to Donate to Animal Shelters in Someone’s Name. If you are looking to do this as an individual then simply contact the shelter. Sometimes shelters have special recognition programs for certain donation levels. If you are working to organize a group donation, the …

How to raise money for an animal shelter?

Buy a bag of premium dog or cat food from BOGO Bowl, and the company will donate a bag of food to a shelter, rescue group or pet pantry. DONATE: BOGO Bowl. Raised Cot Bed. Ensure that shelter pups snooze soundly on raised cot bed, like picture above. The Animal Humane Society requests specific donations of the Kuranda bed for their shelter.

How does volunteering at an animal shelter help the community?

Most animal shelters and charitable rescues that are open to the public will accept donations at any time during normal business hours. If the organization is not regularly open to the public, call them and schedule an appointment to drop off your donation. Some shelters may have donation information available online as well.

What can I donate to my local animal shelter?

12 Items to Donate to Your Local Animal ShelterUnopened Pet Food. Keep those kibble bags sealed before heading off to donate. ... Raised Cot Bed. ... Cleaning Supplies. ... Shredded Office Paper + Newspaper. ... New Cat + Dog Toys. ... Gentle Leads + Leashes. ... Office Supplies. ... Window-Mounted Cat Bed.More items...

What do dog shelters need the most?

General Supplies:Towels/blankets/washcloths.Newspaper.Wire pet crates of any size.Baby gates.Pet leashes of all sizes.Pet collars of all sizes.Stainless steel food and water bowls.Dry and wet dog food.More items...•Jun 9, 2016

How do I donate money to a local animal shelter?

You may donate by cash, check, or credit card by visiting one of our local animal shelters, or you can mail a money order or check to the Administrative Office, payable to LA Animal Services, 221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 600, Mail Stop #105, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

How can I help a local animal shelter?

Ten ways to help your local shelter or rescueAdopt a pet. If you've been thinking that it's time to add a pet to your family, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group. ... Donate. ... Volunteer. ... Say thanks. ... Become a fan. ... Get crafty. ... Make wishes come true. ... Become a foster.More items...

What animal shelters need the most?

1. MoneyToys. All animals love toys, so donate any old or new pet toys to keep those homeless dogs and cats entertained and happy. ... Pet Food and Treats. ... Cleaning Supplies. ... Towels and Blankets. ... Newspapers. ... Grooming Supplies. ... Collars and Leashes. ... Furniture.More items...

Are donations to animal shelters tax deductible?

Once we have received your donation we will send you the receipt along with the confirmation email. Note: All donations are entitled to exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act of 1961 vide Certificate No. DIT(E)2011-2012/S-6461/520. That means that, donations to STRAW qualify for 50% tax exemption in India.

Which charities should you not donate to?

Here are some of the worst offenders:Kids Wish Network.Cancer Fund of America.Children's Wish Foundation International.American Breast Cancer Foundation.Firefighters Charitable Foundation.Breast Cancer Relief Foundation.International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO.National Veterans Service Fund.More items...•Feb 28, 2022

Can you donate to a dog shelter?

Monetary donations Many allow donations by text or online, and some even offer the opportunity to sponsor a dog kennel for a monthly donation, which helps to provide each dog arriving in that kennel with blankets, toys and treats.Feb 9, 2021

What has Betty White done for animals?

White served on the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's board of trustees starting in 1974. In 2010, she became chair of the board, and she became an honorary zookeeper three years later. She also served as a trustee, board president, donor and spokesperson for the Morris Animal Foundation.Jan 19, 2022

Why adopting a pet is better?

Because you'll save a life. The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and open up shelter space for another animal who might desperately need it.

How can we keep animals shelter clean?

Top Three Shelter Cleaning TipsCalculate Your Bleach. When prepared and used correctly, bleach solutions are effective against certain diseases like parvovirus and panleukopemia, and they're an essential tool for general shelter disinfection. ... Wash Your Hands. ... Do The Laundry.

How can we help homeless animals?

(Almost) 50 Ways to Help Homeless Pets in your CommunityBe a responsible pet parent. ... Encourage adoption, fostering and volunteering. ... Know the facts. ... Get to know your county's shelters, and it's placement partners. ... Find your local Animal Services' information and trust the officers. ... Support spay and neuter programs.More items...

What do shelters need?

Pet supplies aren’t the only supplies shelters need. Some other things that come in handy for shelters include: 1 Cleaning supplies (call your shelter and ask what cleaning supplies it uses/needs) 2 Old newspapers 3 Paper towel and toilet paper rolls 4 Old towels and blankets 5 Hand sanitizer 6 Office supplies

Is fostering a pet rewarding?

Fostering a pet is not only a rewarding experience, but it’s a great way to help out your local shelter from the comfort of your own home. Learn more about fostering cats and dogs, why you should and how to start in our articles on fostering cats and fostering dogs. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Can shelters use extra supplies?

Shelters can always use some extra supplies . Contact your local shelter or rescue group to see if it has a wish list of items it needs, just be sure to clean any supplies before you donate them. Often a shelter’s wish list will include:

How to Donate to Animal Shelters

When you’re donating to an animal shelter, your best bet is to find a local shelter to work with. Different shelters have different needs.

Are Donations to Animal Shelters Tax Deductible?

I’m not an accountant and can’t give you tax advice, but what I can do is tell you that in the US I have deducted charitable donations from my taxes many times.

What Can You Donate to Animal Shelters?

Frequently, readers write in to ask about what they can donate to animal shelters.

What to NEVER Give to An Animal Shelter

The basic rule of thumb here is that anything you donate should be clean and in good condition.

Summary: What Things to Donate to Animal Shelters

If an animal can use it or if it can be used to maintain or clean the shelter than it is probably an item you can donate.

Do Thundershirts help dogs?

ThunderShirts. “We use them a lot for our behavior modification dogs,” says Nelson. These dog apparel items work to reduce fear-, anxiety- and separation-related behaviors, providing a calming effect for the animals wearing them. Cars. Yes, cars! “One thing that people don’t think of is vehicle donations,” says Nelson.

Can plastic bags be recycled?

While not all shelters accept them, plastic bags can often be used to pick up dog waste in the facilities’ green spaces. Just be sure the bags don’t have any holes in them; those can be recycled instead. Heating pads/electric blankets.

Do animal shelters get funding?

Local animal shelters also typically do not receive funds from the national organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA. While cash donations are always needed ...

Learn What To Donate

Call your local animal shelter or pet rescue to find out exactly what types of blankets and towels they are accepting as donations. Most organizations are not picky about donations, but some do require that blankets are not stuffed with any type of padding. An example of this type of blanket would be a down comforter.

Making a Donation

If you are unsure as to whether an organization accepts donations, animal shelters and rescues are normally more than happy to provide you with the information you need. Call the organization you want to donate to and find out when exactly they are willing to accept donations as well as where those donations need to be dropped off.

What is a donation to an animal shelter?

Donations may be used to help cover the costs of daily operations, supplies, staff training, animal housing upgrades, community outreach programs, animal enrichment and much more.

What do shelters need?

Shelters and rescue groups always need towels, toys and other supplies. Check their websites for wishlists; if they don’t have one, call them to find out what's in short supply and offer to create an online wishlist for them.

How to show appreciation for animals?

1. Adopt a pet. If you’ve been thinking that it’s time to add a pet to your family, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group. Search for available cats and dogs near you at ...

How to keep cats safe?

Keep your cats indoors, where you can keep them safe (though it's great to take them on walks if they are comfortable on a harness and leash or provide them a catio for safe outdoor enrichment) and keep dogs on leashes when off your property. 10. Help your shelter make positive changes.

What is a foster home?

Foster homes are the backbone of many rescue groups— without a strong network of foster providers, rescue groups simply could not take in as many animals. Foster homes can also become adoption ambassadors to friends, family and colleagues who otherwise may not visit the shelter. If you already have pets of your own, ...

Is foster care overrated?

The value of fosters can't be overrated. They can be lifesavers for pets who can't adapt to shelter life, those who need to be nursed back to health and orphaned kittens who need someone to step in for their mom (or whose needs are beyond what busy shelter staff can often provide).