White Dog wants to add her voice, even though she has never been in a shelter, to those of her fellow bloggers who have asked that today be a day of awareness raising for the huge job and tremendous needs of shelters all across the country. Quinn, our street dog who ended up in animal control deathrow, can attest to the overcrowding of every shelter and rescue. The bad economy, the recent disasters in the Gulf, the severe weather we have experienced all contribute to an overwhelming influx of animals in need...at the same time charitable giving and grant money is drying up.
Nuka can relate from her personal experiences that many animals come into shelters with medical needs ranging from surgeries to diabetes medication. Puff can tell you about the special needs and costs of Heart worm treatment.
Animal Rescue is THE most successful form of grassroots activism that there is. No large corporations fund the efforts; the government is tolerant at best. It is the everyday heroes, like us, who give a few hours of time, who transport dogs all around the country to give them a chance, who choose a contribution to a Rescue instead of a night on the town for a birthday gift. Lives get saved...LOTS of lives...and second chances are granted...and miracles occur. Spread the word, make others aware, it is hard to turn your back on the needy eyes of a pup or a kitty asking only for a chance to live.
But food bowls constantly need refilling, laundry must be done daily, and so much more. Rescues work magic and stretch available funds beyond the believable but they need our help.
If you can't spare a few bucks in change, you don't have to. You can always donate your dog's old collar that doesn't fit him anymore, or your cat's old travel crate that she doesn't need. You don't have to donate brand new products to help the animals; just make sure that the products aren't so badly used that they're falling apart. You don't want to donate an old leash that when the dog tugs one good tug, it breaks, or a snap collar that doesn't close properly.
• Pet shampoo
• Bath towels (new or used)
• Paper towels
• Toilet Paper
• Dishwasher soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Liquid hand soap
• bleach (typically the Clorox brand)
• Laundry detergent (powder or liquid)
• Batteries
• Copy paper
• Chew treats
• Dog/cat toys
• Dog/cat food/water bowls
• Flea and tick prevention
• Collars
• Leashes
• Lawn hoses
• Crates
• Cat litter
• Small gravel or sand for play areas
• Kiddie swimming pools for the dogs
• Rubber backed rugs to use in crates and kennels
• Canned cat and dog food
• Dry cat and dog food
• Pooper scoopers
• Puppy/kitten milk supplements
• Puppy/kitten vitamins
Also consider gift cards as a nice donation, if you don't want to give cash or supplies.
• Gas cards are great if shelter uses a van for adoption off premise
• Wal*mart/ SAMS gift cards
• Petsmart/ PetCo gift cards
White Dog knows times are tough and that everyone is struggling, but if everyone gave just a little...a donation of materials, food, time, or green papers...so many animals would benefit. We can make a difference and change the world! Believe it!