Calling all pet lovers! When you look at your fur baby, does your heart get all warm and melt from how much you love them? You just want to give them the best life they deserve because they are a member of the family. Their short life spans make pet owners appreciate every single moment that much more. Some households have the means and space to house multiple pets, while other households are a bit more limited, but having a small yet happy home for your pet is better than the alternative.
In the same way your heart melts when you look at your fur baby, your heart also breaks at the sight of a homeless pet. Whether they are homeless on the street or in a shelter, your heart goes out to them. A true pet lover wants to love, protect, and help all pets, not just their own. It is only natural that a kind-hearted person would want to aid in the rescue of a homeless animal, specifically cats and dogs. Though society has domesticated reptiles, rodents, leporids, and birds, it is not unusual or alarming to see them in the wild (aka their natural habitat). However, finding a house cat or dog in the wild rather than in a safe home is alarming and causes animal lovers to take action. The same alarming feeling can be caused when seeing the look of despair and loneliness in the eyes of a shelter pet waiting to be adopted.
During the pandemic in 2020, many shelters were getting cleared out from the number of people adopting pets. People needed companionship during isolation, and adopting a pet was what many families did. Sadly, after the pandemic, the shelters began receiving pets again. Shelters are always facing challenges such as space for temporary housing, financial support, food supply, and ultimately getting their animals adopted into a loving forever home. Apart from volunteering and never giving up your pet to a shelter, there are ways you can help without even leaving your home.
Thanks to modern-day technology, helping shelter animals has become possible through apps, social media, and virtual donations. Below are five of the top methods you can use right now to start helping shelter pets.
1. Pet Finder App: This free app is great for people looking to adopt a pet. The app lists shelters from all across the United States, meaning one can adopt from a local shelter or from a shelter from across the state. Discover the app here.
2. Treat App: Would you consider gaming to help feed shelter pets? Of course you would. Play to earn points and win free food for shelter pets delivered from Chewy. The app also offers virtual fostering and potential adoption. Download the free app here.
3. Social Media: Animal shelters and volunteers can easily keep viewers updated with their current furry residents by sharing photos and videos. Anyone following the shelters can also share posts with their viewers, thus spreading the word and helping pets get adopted faster.
4. Financial Donations: Aiding animal shelters with financial gifts is truly a grand gesture. Most shelters now have a webpage with a donation option. One can donate directly with the shelter’s portal via PayPal or credit card or send a virtual gift card through Chewy.
5. Shop brands that give-back to shelters: Retail therapy can feel twice as good when a percentage of your purchase goes to helping a shelter. There are many online shops that donate a portion of their earnings to shelters. Check out some of these awesome brands here.
All shelter pets deserve a loving home regardless of their age, breed, or past history. Animal shelters can only do so much for their temporary residents, and they need all the help they can get. Remember to take action and consider the five methods mentioned above. It is never too late to change the life of a homeless pet. Adopt; don’t shop!