Spring Cleaning With Meaning!

Many of my blog friends love animals as much as I do.  Seriously love. My house would be an empty shell without the love and affection I have been blessed with.  My pets are as much a part of my family as my child and my husband!
Shelters all over the world are at full capacity.  There are ways to help if, like me, you simply cannot take in another pet.
Spring is around the corner and with it, the opportunity to clear out the clutter that may have accumulated in the past year.  Shelters are in dire need of many of the items that may be headed for the trash heap.

 FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP A SHELTER PET:

IF YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE – Share at least one post of a pet in need of help.


IF YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES – Open your linen closet and remove the sheets,  towels, placemats you


 no longer use. Throw them into a bag and leave them by your front door to drop off at the shelter the


next time you go out. Get in the habit of stacking newspapers in the trunk of your car.  If you find 


yourself near a shelter, merely drop them off!  Thrift stores are the perfect place to find the gift of towels


 and blankets for our furry friends!

IF YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES – Create a flier to post in local pet shops listing all free/low-cost spay 


and neuter programs in your area. Create posters to remind people to spay and neuter their pets and to


Adopt, Not Shop!



IF YOU HAVE AN ENTIRE DAY – Visit your local shelter and ask how you can help. Inquire about


 their volunteer program and meet some of the staff. Then, get to work!

IF YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF TIME THAT KEEPS ON GIVING – Volunteer regularly at your local


 shelter. Run donation drives in your area. Volunteer to transport


 cats and dogs to their new homes (transport is always needed!) 

Who's saving whom?

Other Items Shelters Need:

1. 
   

   Food and Treats

   • Every creature needs to eat. Dog food and cat food in bags or cans are usually welcome donations to animal shelters. Dog treats, catnip and cat treats are also thoughtful items that help give the animals a little extra boost between bowls.

   Household Goods

   • Animals get dirty and shelters need daily cleaning. Old towels, rags, brooms, mops, cleaning soaps, buckets, disinfectants and natural cleaners are always appreciated. Sponges and scrub brushes are also needed, as well as newspapers and trash bags.

   Toys

   • A pet that is played with is a happy pet. Balls, chew toys, Frisbees, squeaky toys, pull ropes and stuffed animals ensure that shelter residents get some healthy play breaks during long days inside a crate or cage. Toys can help young animals through painful teething and they provide exercise the young and old.

   Gear

   • Few animals arrive at a shelter with a collar and leash. Many shelters provide these items to adoptive parents. Collars, harnesses and leashes are in constant demand. Bedding and blankets also make the animals' temporary home a cozier place to live.

   Litter Boxes and Litter

   • Shelters run through cat litter quickly. Bags are always welcome.

   Flea and Tick Treatment

   • Animals often arrive infested with fleas and ticks. Medication is needed to keep a shelter from crawling with bugs.
     
     
     

     

     
     

Contact your local shelter to see what they may need.  Click on this link to Petfinders

to find a shelter near you!

Many shelters take "Memorial Donations" in honor of a beloved pet who has passed on. It is a meaningful way to remember your friend while helping others!

If you simply cannot help rescue this little guy, you can make his life in the shelter more bearable!

Beautiful Dreamer came to Pet Savers on February 24, 2012. His owner is 7 months pregnant and could no longer care for him. Unfortunately, we’re not even sure if this sweet, precious angel will survive, but we are doing everything we can to give him a chance. Beautiful Dreamer is currently at our vet in critical condition. What they’ve determined so far, is that he has a prostate infection, is severely emaciated, heavily matted, and literally on death’s door. He’s on IV fluids and being monitored around the clock, thanks to a caring vet tech who is taking him home at night.

Beautiful Dreamer is only a year and half old… but looks so much older! We see cases like him on occasion, but typically they are found as strays or come in from kill-shelters. This sweet baby came from a home!!

We, at Pet Savers, want to give this baby a fighting chance and request your assistance with his vet bills. While we don’t know the extent of his vet bills at this point, we do know that it will not be cheap. We’re starting his Chipin at $800, which will help us continue his care. 

Beautiful Dreamer - one and half year old Shih Tzu/Japanese Chin mix... on death's door! Donate now: http://pippy.chipin.com/beautiful-dreamer

I normally do not ask for this type of help but I saw this little man and my heart wedged in my throat.  It doesn't hurt to ask!  One dollar at a time adds up!

xoxo

Andie