’Tis the season of giving, and why not share the love with furry friends in need? We know there are endless ways to help others this holiday season and all year long, but here is a list of some that we truly believe will make a difference in the lives of those who leave paw prints on our hearts.
The Gift of Giving
If you love to shop, we have good news for you: helping an animal in need is as easy as online shopping! Some websites and stores are committed to giving a portion of your purchase price back to charities in need, including animal welfare organizations; it’s a simple and free way to give back.
More in the gift-giving mood? That’s great! Many animal welfare organizations also have wish lists, either online or in their office, where you can find an exact list of items that are needed that you can donate! Common items needed include food, treats, litter, leashes, toys, and cleaning supplies. If you have an excess of gently used pet toys, why not spruce them up and donate them to an organization in need!
Also, let’s not forget about military working dogs serving overseas; find out how you can give back to these deserving heroes here.
The Gift of Time
We understand that not everyone has the luxury of donating dollars to organizations they care about, and that’s okay; why not give some of your valuable time instead? From shelters where you can socialize and care for animals, to therapy camps that help both animals and children cope with neglect and abuse, every minute helps. You may even reap some volunteer benefits of your own, such as personal growth, skill development, and positivity for making a real difference to animals in need!
The Gift of Love
Last, but certainly not least, is giving a home to a shelter pet. Even if you aren’t able to adopt, you can still make a huge difference in the life and well-being of a pet by fostering. Foster families can be helpful in everything from socializing a pet, to helping them recover from illness and surgery, and even saving their lives in the case of overcrowding in a shelter. If you are ready to make a longer commitment, adopting a shelter dog, cat, bird, or pocket pet is a meaningful way to gain a new ever-loyal family member.
We know you have many options when it comes to making a difference in the lives of animals and other worthy causes across the globe, but we hope you find these options helpful when narrowing down your list of ways to give. As always, we are thankful for the support and friendship of our furry, feathery, and scaly clients and their pet parents – you make our work more meaningful every day. Happy holidays from all of us at Grand Valley Animal Hospital!
