According to the ASPCA pet statistics, approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Caring for animals is an expensive business. It also requires a great deal of time, space, and involvement, and these things are not always available for every animal.
Many Animal Shelters are usually privately funded and can do with all the help they can get from the local community. If there is an Animal Shelter in your area, you can consider making a donation or, if they allow it, volunteering your time. Check with the shelter to see what items they are in need of most.
For the most part, most shelters need:
- Financial Support- as stated above, it’s a very expensive business
- Litter and litter boxes
- Break-away cat collars and dog collars
- Food-Many of the animals dropped off or found are malnourished and in need of a good meal.
- Flea treatments
- Toys and Treats- the best way to socialize rescue animals is through play.
- Cleaning supplies (Bleach, towels, trash bags, newspapers,plastic bags, laundry detergent,etc)
- Pet houses, pet beds, and pet cages and crates- If an animal needs to be confined due to an illness then a pet cage or crate is necessary. Pet carriers are also high in demand.
- stand alone scratching posts
- and of course, people willing to adopt
Anything you can do is a big help. New shelters are going up every day, but they’re filling up immediately and need all the help they can get.




