14 Effective Ways to Help Animals in Need
Helping animals in need can be an incredibly rewarding experience, sometimes meaning the difference between life and death for an abandoned, abused, or homeless pet. There are countless homeless animals in need, no matter where you live, and many ways you can help. There’s fundraising for animal charities and helping endangered species; we can each make a difference. Learn various ways of helping animals in need below, from volunteering to donating, fostering, and adopting.
Understanding animal cruelty and neglect
Animal cruelty comes in many forms, including physical abuse, neglect, or irresponsible animal care. Some evident signs of abuse are untreated wounds, emaciation, limping, or markings of beatings. Neglect can manifest as inadequate food, water, or unsanitary living conditions. Behavioral warning signs, such as extreme fear, aggressiveness, or withdrawal, are also a signal of abuse. You need to know where to look and when you should intervene. If you see any animal cruelty, then write down the place and, if you can, record them.
Reporting and combating animal cruelty
It is heartbreaking to see an abused animal, and no animal should have to suffer. Animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 states, and cruelty to animals is an apparent indicator of future violent crime. Report it to animal services, police, or a local animal welfare organization, and do the following:
- Gather information, photos, and notes about any evidence of cruelty.
- If you suspect a puppy mill is in operation in your area, report it.
- Take the evidence to your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or humane society and file a report.
- You don’t want to approach the pet owners in an aggressive fashion. They pose more of a danger to you and the animals.
- Consult with other neighbors who can corroborate your story for additional witnesses.
- Make your safety a priority. If necessary, anonymously report.
- Never remove the animal without authorization.
Groups such as the ASPCA, local shelters, and animal services have an extremely important part in defending animals from cruelty. They respond to reports and enforce the law, but also rescue animals in need. Community involvement is also important. Animal lovers can volunteer, spread awareness, and lobby for stronger laws.
How you can help animals in need
1. Adopt a pet from a shelter
Choosing an adoptable pet from a reputable animal shelter is an essential part of meeting your new furry best friend. Go to the shelter to look around and decide if the shelter environment is clean and the animals seem to be well cared for. Inquire about their spay/neuter practices, vaccine system, and level of veterinary care. Responsible shelters put the well-being and care of animals above everything else and would not adopt out a shelter pet that is in poor health.
Before adopting, think about your time, resources, and readiness to be a pet parent. When offering loving homes and forever homes to animals, it is not “until I am ready to move on,” but actually a lifelong commitment.
2. Volunteer with the Humane Society
At the Humane Society and Animal Services departments in all 50 states, volunteers are needed to assist with animal rescue, advocacy, and event hosting. There are also numerous volunteer opportunities available to help companion animals and raise awareness.
3. Sponsor a shelter animal
Some shelter animals — such as those with medical or behavioral challenges — remain longer and require extra support. Sponsoring a shelter animal can help offset these ongoing costs. It’s a wonderful way to make a difference if you can’t adopt.
4. Raise money for veterinary costs
Surgery and medical care for homeless pets are expensive. Veterinary costs for a single animal can be more than $8,000. Start a fundraiser to go towards supplying a second chance to an animal in need. What you do can mean the difference between lifesaving care and suffering for animals in need of treatment.
5. Donate to an animal charity
Support nonprofits that focus on animal cruelty and bringing adoptable animals into homes. The ASPCA and other organizations work around the clock to save and protect animals.
6. Start a fundraiser for an animal nonprofit
You can support rescue group efforts, spay/neuter programs, and provide blankets, pet food, toys, and more by holding a fundraiser.
7. Foster a pet
Providing a temporary home for companion animals offers a second chance for adoptable animals to find loving homes. Fostering also opens up shelter space for other animals and gives them a shot at a forever home. It’s a win-win for animal lovers and animals.
8. Encourage friends and family to adopt a pet
If a family member is in the market for a new best friend, steer them toward a shelter pet instead of a pet store.
9. Rewild your garden
It can be as easy as allowing your garden to run free to support wild animals like bees, butterflies, and even small mammals. Native plants support local wildlife varieties, including community cats.
10. Go meat-free, even one day a week
Consuming less meat will lower the demand for livestock farming and is good for the environment. It’s an easy decision for animal lovers.
11. Host an adoption event
Organize a local event to help homeless pets find homes. Collaborate with shelters, rescue groups, and community centers to host the event and promote initiatives that encourage people to adopt.
12. Share your knowledge
Use social media to create a page or account that spotlights adoptable animals. Share success stories and awareness movements that inspire others to get involved.
13. Support a spaying program
By preventing overpopulation and reducing the influx of animals into shelters, spay/neuter programs support public health and safety. Plan a low-cost fundraiser to help cover the costs of these valuable services in your locality.
14. Get involved in the community
Volunteer at a community center, local library, nursing home, or local hospital to offer animal-assisted activities for senior citizens or pet parents. Educate your community on community cats, adoption, and animal care. Every small act can make a big difference for animals in need.
Create a fundraiser
Every year, some 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted. This is less than the total number of dogs and cats entering U.S. animal shelters on an annual basis. People and families that adopt get the irreplaceable joy of knowing they saved an animal’s life, and that they made room for another shelter animal.
You can help by organizing a fun community event as a way to raise funds to help a shelter. A couple of fundraising tips include sharing your fundraiser with family and friends and promoting your cause on social media. Some community fundraising ideas include a walk-a-thon for people and their pets, organizing a car wash, or hosting a silent auction.
Successful fundraisers that help animals in need
Many people have used online fundraising to successfully raise money to help animals in need. See a few examples below of how others are using crowdfunding to make a positive impact in the lives of animals.
Community supporting smaller shelters
Susan is an extraordinary woman with a heart as large as her commitment to her animals, and has been a source of hope for hundreds of abandoned, injured, and discarded animals for years. Her home has become a sanctuary where every animal is met with love, care, and the promise of a better life. After the death of her husband, she was struggling to keep up with the care demands for all her animals on her own. Her community came together to support Susan by raising more than $10,000 to cover essential expenses such as veterinary care, check-ups, emergency treatments, vaccinations, surgeries, food, supplies, and toys for the foreseeable future.
Fundraiser for emergency animal rescue
Stony Creek Farm is raising money to save 4 horses from a kill pen in Oklahoma. They needed to raise $10,000 to rescue two mares with their babies that were in danger of being slaughtered if they didn’t help. They managed to raise enough money to pay their bail out of the pen and to get them to Massachusetts so they could be vetted and fed.
Do your part to help animals in need
The connection between animals and people is a beautiful thing. With your support, we are able to get homeless pets into loving homes and give them a new shot at life. Begin a fundraiser today and discover ways you can support animals in need.