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The Q: What can we do to help rescue more animals?

I originally set out to come up with 101 ways to help rescue pets, but after several months my mind was coming up blank, so when I finally hit 50, I figured it’s better than nothing. A list of 50 ideas can’t help animals at all when it’s sitting all alone in my notebook, so I thought maybe you can help me grow it!

If you have any ideas that I missed, please let me know in the comments below.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

1. Always adopt never shop!
2. Walk dogs at your local shelter.
3. Transport rescue pets for rescues.

Sidenote: I mention Greg Mahle of Rescue Road Trips – Hear his story in episode 21

4. Help promote adoptables at pet events and street festivals.
5. Share your rescue pet’s story with the world.
6. Foster animals who need extra care.
7. Bake something to sell at your shelter’s next fundraising event.
8. Make crafty items to sell at your shelter’s next fundraiser. (Check out my tutorial on making DIY doggie tug toys)
9. Ask local business owners to donate goods and services as raffles prizes/ silent auctions at your shelter’s next event.
10. Try to buy products that support rescue. My new favorite wine is Chateau La Paws 😉
11. Volunteer to teach shelter dogs basic obedience.

Sidenote: I mention Westchester SPCA

12. Donate old blankets and towels to your local shelter.
13. Advertise for your favorite shelter with a bumper sticker or magnet.
14. Find a rescue group to support when you shop on Amazon Smile. If your favorite group isn’t there, tell them about it so they can apply!

Sidenote: I donate to Karuna Bully Rescue when I shop on Amazon Smile

15. Create a wishlist of needed donation items on Amazon and promote it to rescue lovers.
16. Visitcomeveryday to answer the question of the day and help to feed shelter dogs.
17. Use the ResQwalk app or Woof Tracks app when you go for a walk to raise money for rescue pets.
18. Start a cat library or a cat café.
19. Sign a petition against an act of animal cruelty.
20. Repost an adoptable pet’s photo on social media.
21. Write letters to influencers about animal injustices and propose solutions for change.
22. Turn your birthday into a fundraiser, ask your friends donate or volunteer in lieu of a present.

Sidenote: I mentioned Bonnie-Jill Laflin’s story

23. Give a kid a storybook about rescue. Red Rover is a great resource for finding the right book.
24. Stand outside pet shops and hand out information about puppy mills.
25. Use the Cruelty Cutter app to scan products and make sure they are cruelty free before you buy.

Sidenote: Beagle Freedom Project created the app.

26. Wear t-shirts that support rescue and rescue organizations. Here’s a list of my 10 favorite rescue apparel shops online.

Sidenote: Thanks to Lisa Michelle for helping me compile this list!!

27. Stop eating meat from factory farms. Sound like too much? Start off with Meatless Mondays.
28. Introduce your pets as rescues to strangers. Promote that point proudly.
29. Spay and neuter your pets.
30. Volunteer to do home visits for rescues.
31. Volunteer to help your shelter with admin work like answering phones, emails, or processing adoption applications.
32. Volunteer to help with outdoor maintenance like yardwork, painting, or poop picker upin’.
33. Point people to Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet, especially newbie adopters who might want a certain breed.
34. Check com for reviews to make sure you are adopting from responsible rescue organizations. Share your experience with rescues and shelters there too by writing your own reviews!

Sidenote: Read The Dog Merchants by Kim Kavin

35. Train your rescue to be a therapy pet.
36. Help your rescue go above and beyond, help him get certificates and awards to prove he’s even better than the average pet. The Canine Good Citizen certificate is one example.
37. Help kids learn about shelter animals with a class trip or arrange for a staff member to bring an adoptable animal to your kid’s club or after school event.
38. Plan a pet food drive for your local shelter.
39. Start a kong-stuffing program at your local rescue.
40. Collect cans and bottles for rescue.
41. Grab a HeARTs Speak Shelter Photography Field Guide and help your shelter get better photos of their adoptable animals.
42. Shop for your pet’s medications on Pet Rescue Rx – they donate 100% of their profits to a rescue of your choice!
43. Teach a workshop on a skill or strength you have – some ideas might include DIY pet toys, photography, training, or social media marketing.
44. Join rescue groups on FB to find out when there are volunteer needs in your area.
45. Dress an adoptable pet in some “adopt me” gear and take them out on the town to show them off. (Handkerchief, vest, leash cover, t-shirt for you and/or the dog)
46. Get a stuffed replica of your dog or cat oncomand support your favorite shelter.
47. Organize creative fundraising events that involve local businesses. (Comedy, bowling, bars & restaurants etc.)

Sidenote: Check out the HeARTS Speak member map to find a photographer who volunteers near you.

48. Host a seasonal photoshoot as a fundraiser, pet photos with Santa, the Easter bunny, or even a local celebrity.
49. .. in real life! Actually make signs, gather people together, and make a scene.
50. Share this list with a fellow animal lover.

If you have more ideas or want to share what your rescue has done, please leave a comment below. With your help, maybe we can still make it to 101 ideas!

Credits:

Intro/outro music by Mark Hermann of Rock & Roll Zen & voiceover by Tim Paige of Tim the Paige

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