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If you would like to help animals in need but don’t know where to start, I'm glad you found this article. You can help animals in need in several ways. The most important thing to do when it comes to helping animals in need is to determine what you are good at and use it to spread awareness, volunteer, and collect donations. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 things to do to help animals in need:
1.Report Cruelty to Animals and Neglect
If you suspect that an animal has been neglected by its owner, report it immediately. You can report it to the local county or city animal shelter and the police.
Examples of negligence include not giving an animal food and water, chaining of animals in a place where there is no access to food/water and shelter.
Either take videos or photos of the cruelty or neglect. Animals cannot speak and say what they are feeling or report. Be their defender by reporting any cruelty or neglect on their behalf.
2. Craft and Donate DIY Toys
Making and donating DIY toys can brighten a shelter pet’s day.
The good thing is that the materials used to make DIY toys are readily available. You can use things like old clothes or spare socks to make the DIY toy to donate.
Tip: Adding a little catnip can make a cat DIY toy more enticing 😉
3. Make your BBQ or Block Party A Supply Drive
You can use any event to contribute money that you will donate to a local shelter.
Send a list of items to donate to a local shelter to your guests in advance. This will make it easy for your guests to give something.
4. Adopt a Pet
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is one of the best ways to help animals in need. This is true, especially if you adopt a longstanding shelter resident, senior, or special needs pet as these pets have a harder time getting forever homes.
5. Foster an Animal
If you cannot adopt a pet permanently but can take care of one for a few months, consider becoming a pet’s foster parent. Sick animals who need personalized attention like a therapeutic diet and young pets often need to foster the most.
6. Become a Responsible Pet Owner
If you own a cat or a dog, try as much as you can to make its life better.
Give your cat playtime, and it will appreciate it as cats are very playful. Groom your cat or dog gently daily whenever you are free. And since dogs like running, exploring and sniffing, provide your dog with lots of exercises.
If possible, take your dog to camp. You should also avoid scolding your dog, leaving them outside.
Instead, give them undivided attention and find time to play with them. Make your pet feel loved.
7. Support Wildlife in Your Yard
Have a wildlife sanctuary in your front and back yard.
Select native and animal-friendly plants that attract birds, hummingbirds, small wildlife, bees, and insects. Research on how to build a sustainable garden for wildlife.
You should also consider encouraging children to make phone calls, write letters, and sign petitions asking our legislators to ban pesticides that kill pollinators.
8. Connect Children with Wildlife
You can get kids connected with wildlife via wildlife and nature lesson plans and resources. You can get support and methods to connect children with nature and conservation at the National Wildlife Federation.
9. Be a Volunteer
Many rescue groups and animal shelters rely heavily on their volunteers to keep things going. They rely on basic day-to-care animal care volunteers to clean kennels, feed pets, help with filing or processing of paperwork, do laundry, and perform several other tasks.
Even though the tasks that a volunteer performs are not glamorous, they ensure that the pets are well taken care of and that the shelter runs smoothly.
10. Use the Internet to Tell Others About Helping Animals
The internet can help you inform many people about helping animals in need. You can share requests for donations or supplies or share profiles of pets that can be adopted.
If your friends on social media are not able to help these pets in any way or cannot adopt, they might share it with someone who can.
11. Buy Products that Donate to Animal Shelters
You need to buy clothing like socks anyway, right? You might as well shop for a positive cause and choose businesses that support animals.
Printsfield donates 1% of every purchase to an animal shelter to help animals in need.
They sell personalized photo gifts with a focus on socks. However, they also sell custom laptop sleeves, journals, notebooks, boxers, and more.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
I don’t have a pet, but there was a kitty that would be outside my door. We started putting out cat food. One day he stopped coming, I found out a neighbor had adopted him. I was happy, yet I still miss him.
This is a great post. I love animals and there are many stray cats in my area that I am trying to help, it breaks my heart to see any animal in need as I love my own so very much they help me much more than they even know.
That’s great you are trying to help the animals in your area! I hate seeing stray animals too. They are just bound to get hit by a car eventually which is so sad.
As a busy working Mom, I love to come home to my family and curl up with them in comfy socks with a great book!! The more unique a sock looks the more I want them!! I love socks of all colors and no pattern is too crazy for my feet..lol!
My cat just recently passed away last month due to health issues and his old age at the age of (nearly) 17. These socks would be awesome to win!! I could have my beloved kitty close to me and memorialize him every time I wear these socks. : )
And spay or neuter your pets to help stop feral cat populations and overflowing animal shelters. Visiting those places can be heartbreaking. I so appreciate the work of their staff, whether paid or volunteer. I don’t know if I’d be strong enough to do it.
We have rescued many dogs over the years and have loved them all. They have become family. I am a teacher’s aide in a Special needs class and we have a Coffee Cart business. With the profits from the business we do many community projects. My favorite is buying supplies and toys for our local animal shelter and delivering them to the shelter and getting to play with all the cute puppies.
I adore animals, all animals. I currently share my home with two furry roommates….both rescues. I hate to see anyone or anything hurt any animal. Thank you.
What great ideas! I do a few already, like plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies and I love taking my 2 children on nature walks, but I will be sure to try a few more of your great suggestions! I love the socks!
My Aunt fosters cats and dogs and she loves it. My house is a little too hectic for that, but when my kids are older it is something I would love to do.
Love the idea of fostering a pet, but it must be hard. I have my first dog now and I finally get the whole “man’s best friend” thing. We love her to death and she’s part of the family now.
I think we can all help in some way. We can buy a bag of dog food or cat food and drop it off at the local shelter, for instance. And I like the idea of buying from companies that that donate to animal rescues, etc.
I love this idea. The cat socks are so adorable and being able to customize them sounds like a lot of fun. I think it’s terrific that Printsfield donates to help animals. This is a great list on how to be more active and help animals because they really need our help that’s for sure!
I’m fortunate enough to have acres that I let grow & plant wildflowers specifically for wildlife habitat. I never kill anything either but i will relocate if absolutely necessary. I just lost my 15 year old cat Rocky recently & these would be a great way to remember her.
We love our animals and all the wildlife. I am so happy to see that this company is doing something to help this cause. Such cute socks. Great idea. Thank you so much for sharing
It is really amazing that Printsfield donates 1% of their profits to assist animal shelters. As shelters depend on private support to keep them going, if more companies did this type of donation, so many shelters would have the funding they need just from the corporate world. Thanks for this awesome giveaway opportunity!
I am not into pets, they take up a lot of time and they are expensive. I saw on the news earlier this week two different people left pets at a dump, they were caught by the camera….
I have a sweet little Maltese mix rescue dog. I adopted her 8 years ago and she is now 11. Unfortunately she was not taken care of and lost a rear leg. Ruby is my best friend since my husband passed away.
This is a good list. I’ve volunteered before and had (and been to) parties where the idea was to bring cat and dog food instead of gifts and all of it is great. I love that simply shopping can also help, these socks for example would make a great stocking stuffer around Christmas.
I could never harm an animal. I am an avid cat lover and do all I can to help out. I help rescue cats, find them new homes and donate food to the local animal shelters!!
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I don’t have a pet, but there was a kitty that would be outside my door. We started putting out cat food. One day he stopped coming, I found out a neighbor had adopted him. I was happy, yet I still miss him.
I’m sure the cat appreciated your help until he found someone to adopt him
Every one of these tips are great. I am adopting a puppy soon and I can’t wait to get him!
What kind of puppy did you get?
This is a great post. I love animals and there are many stray cats in my area that I am trying to help, it breaks my heart to see any animal in need as I love my own so very much they help me much more than they even know.
That’s great you are trying to help the animals in your area! I hate seeing stray animals too. They are just bound to get hit by a car eventually which is so sad.
Some great ideas! We have 2 rescued kittehs (they rescued us, it seems). Thanks and God bless!
I bet your two kitties are adorable
As a busy working Mom, I love to come home to my family and curl up with them in comfy socks with a great book!! The more unique a sock looks the more I want them!! I love socks of all colors and no pattern is too crazy for my feet..lol!
I’m like that too! I will wear anything on my feet lol
these are really cute great gift ideal too
Yes, these photo socks would make a great gift!
What a great idea, supporting a good cause with gorgeous products!
Do you own any pets?
The socks sound like a win-win. I can think of a lot of possible images.
What would you put on these socks?
Thanks for the informative and practical post. All five of our dogs (throughout the years) have been rescue dogs. They are the best!
I love hearing that you adopted your dogs!
Thank you for helping animals and providing us ways to do so!
You are very welcome! Do you own any pets?
Animal socks are just so cute! They are a great way to give back! Thanks for sharing!
Do you have any pets?
My cat just recently passed away last month due to health issues and his old age at the age of (nearly) 17. These socks would be awesome to win!! I could have my beloved kitty close to me and memorialize him every time I wear these socks. : )
I’m sorry to hear about your cat but I’m glad he lived a long time. Our oldest died at 13 not too long ago 🙁
I’m sorry as well for the loss of your kitty. It’s always emotionally difficult when a furry member of the family passes, no matter what their age.
Very true **hugs**
Those socks are so cute and unique! I would love to have a pair with a picture of one of my dogs on them.
I’m sure you would look great with your pups on your feet!
And spay or neuter your pets to help stop feral cat populations and overflowing animal shelters. Visiting those places can be heartbreaking. I so appreciate the work of their staff, whether paid or volunteer. I don’t know if I’d be strong enough to do it.
Very true! We always get our pets fixed 🙂
We have rescued many dogs over the years and have loved them all. They have become family. I am a teacher’s aide in a Special needs class and we have a Coffee Cart business. With the profits from the business we do many community projects. My favorite is buying supplies and toys for our local animal shelter and delivering them to the shelter and getting to play with all the cute puppies.
Sounds like you have a lot on your plate but have made the most of it. Thank you!
I adore animals, all animals. I currently share my home with two furry roommates….both rescues. I hate to see anyone or anything hurt any animal. Thank you.
That so awesome you have rescues! Awe, what are their names?
What a great idea for a gift! Imagine the look on the recipients face when they see themselves on the socks! This is a must have!
These socks do make a wonderful gift!
What great ideas! I do a few already, like plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies and I love taking my 2 children on nature walks, but I will be sure to try a few more of your great suggestions! I love the socks!
We love nature walks too <3
I want some kitty socks. I’ll show them off to my 2 kitties!
What kind of cats do you have? I bet they would look great on these photo socks!
These are the funnest socks ever. I would love a picture of my puppy on them.
I bet your puppy would be adorable on a pair of socks!
It’s wonderful that these socks and other products can help to save animals in need. I look forward to purchasing such products to do good.
Animals need all the help we can give them. If you are going to buy something anyway you might as well buy something that helps someone.
I work in the animal care field, and I love seeing all these helpful tips! Thanks so much for sharing with everyone!
That’s awesome! Are you a veterinarian?
My Aunt fosters cats and dogs and she loves it. My house is a little too hectic for that, but when my kids are older it is something I would love to do.
Fostering animals would def be interesting. I would consider it too maybe once the kids leave the house.
Such a soft spot for me! Great ideas!
Do you own a lot of animals?
These are good reminders about pets. And it’s good to see some suggestions.
I hope this article will encourage you to help the animals too
Cute socks and I love that this post has information on animals. So many animals need good homes and should be loved.
Yes, they should! Hopefully, more people decide to adopt animals
Thank you for this article, I am particularly sensitive to animal welfare 🙂
I’m glad to hear you care about the welfare of animals
Love the idea of fostering a pet, but it must be hard. I have my first dog now and I finally get the whole “man’s best friend” thing. We love her to death and she’s part of the family now.
My cousin Fosters cats – she loves it but it does take a toll on her resources
I think we can all help in some way. We can buy a bag of dog food or cat food and drop it off at the local shelter, for instance. And I like the idea of buying from companies that that donate to animal rescues, etc.
So glad to hear you are doing what you can to help animals in need!
What a great post, and so important. The socks are adorable!
I’m so glad to hear you love these photo socks
I love supporting companys that give back to helping animals. We adopt our pets threw rescues. They have been such great additions to our family
I’m so happy to hear you adopted your pets
These are the cutest! I could think of a few people (or more lol) who would love to receive these as a gift!
These socks make the cutest gift right?
I love this idea. The cat socks are so adorable and being able to customize them sounds like a lot of fun. I think it’s terrific that Printsfield donates to help animals. This is a great list on how to be more active and help animals because they really need our help that’s for sure!
Animals Can’t help themselves so we got to do our part <3
I’m fortunate enough to have acres that I let grow & plant wildflowers specifically for wildlife habitat. I never kill anything either but i will relocate if absolutely necessary. I just lost my 15 year old cat Rocky recently & these would be a great way to remember her.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. We lost a dear cat not too long ago to0 🙁
Thanks for this post. This is so important to do.
How do you help Animals in need?
These socks are so adorable. I wish I could put my cat’s face on some socks!
Hopefully, you win the giveaway and you can!
We love our animals and all the wildlife. I am so happy to see that this company is doing something to help this cause. Such cute socks. Great idea. Thank you so much for sharing
Sounds like you do your part to help nature and animals. Thank you!
I think volunteering at shelters is fabulous a great way to give back to the community
I agree. It’s something we want to get our son to do. He loves animals and volunteering at an animal shelter would be perfect
It is really amazing that Printsfield donates 1% of their profits to assist animal shelters. As shelters depend on private support to keep them going, if more companies did this type of donation, so many shelters would have the funding they need just from the corporate world. Thanks for this awesome giveaway opportunity!
I completely agree. More companies should donate to worthy causes
I am not into pets, they take up a lot of time and they are expensive. I saw on the news earlier this week two different people left pets at a dump, they were caught by the camera….
That’s awful. They should have at least took the animals to a shelter
I have a sweet little Maltese mix rescue dog. I adopted her 8 years ago and she is now 11. Unfortunately she was not taken care of and lost a rear leg. Ruby is my best friend since my husband passed away.
First off I’m sorry about the loss of your husband. But I am glad Ruby is there to keep you company
This is a good list. I’ve volunteered before and had (and been to) parties where the idea was to bring cat and dog food instead of gifts and all of it is great. I love that simply shopping can also help, these socks for example would make a great stocking stuffer around Christmas.
So true – these photo socks would make a great Christmas stocking stuffer!
These are some good tips. I think it’s important to volunteer time to animal shelters, as well as money.
We got to help animals any way we can right?
Some wonderful suggestions & tips. And the socks are so cute. I wouldn’t know how to pick who to put on a pair.
Do you have a favorite pet? They would go good on the Socks
These socks are so cute. I love that they donate to animal shelters!
We do too! We think everyone should help animals. After all, so many of them are companions to us.
I could never harm an animal. I am an avid cat lover and do all I can to help out. I help rescue cats, find them new homes and donate food to the local animal shelters!!
We are big cat lovers too! Thank you for doing your part to help animals
I will novelty socks and I just adopted a puppy 3 weeks ago. I would love to get his face on a pair of socks.
What kind of puppy did you get?
Thanks for sharing all this information. My kids love their animals.
What kind of animals do you have?
I definitely think these are good ideas. I can’t stand to see any animal mistreated and try to do anything I can to help animals in need.
I hate seeing animals hurt too!