Saving a life is easier than you think.
“You can do it!” Every day, we say those four magical words to people who want to help animals in need but are unsure of their abilities. With some friendly encouragement and guidance, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Helping to save animals
Each of us can help bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. In fact, that’s just what it is going to take — every person reading this article committing to do just a little bit to reach this goal. Sure, many of us think we can’t make a difference for one reason or another, but the truth is that no matter how little time, money or experience you have, you can still save an animal’s life. It’s easier than you think, and makes you feel good, too.
We’ve heard from so many of you who want to help but aren’t sure how, so we’re going to tell you about simple ways that you can make a huge impact. It’s time to do all we can to save the lives of homeless animals. They’re counting on us — and we know you can do it!
- I’ve never done rescue work before. I know more about spreadsheets than I do about saving homeless pets, but I’d like to volunteer and still make an impact. Is that possible?
Your professional skills can be an invaluable contribution for an animal welfare organization. Most rescue groups need volunteers who can help with professional services, such as public relations, graphic design, photography, project management — and even creating spreadsheets.
“When people think about volunteering with an animal rescue group, they often think that means socializing kittens and puppies,” says Melissa Riofrio, chairperson of the board of directors for Homeless Cat Network, a Best Friends No More Homeless Pets Network partner in the San Francisco area. “But what many nonprofits need most are management team members. It’s really challenging for groups to find professionals to help out with operational tasks. For example, we’ve been looking for volunteers with marketing expertise, but it’s been really hard for us to find anyone to help.”
By taking what you’ve learned working for “the man” and using it to help “man’s best friend,” you can save a lot of lives.
- As much as I wish I could volunteer at a shelter, I just don’t have the time. Are there quick ways to help?
If you can spare two minutes, then yes. You can save animals by NETWORKING our adoptable friends, or friends who need medical funding on social media! Your share can literally be the share that get’s that animal into their perfect forever home! Likewise, commenting on PRAR posts also bumps the post in the algorithm and helps the animal to be SEEN! - joining the Best Friends Legislative Action Center and helping to change your state, city and county laws is another quick way to help. “The animals need our voice to create a time when there are No More Homeless Pets,” says Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative attorney for Best Friends. All you have to do is sign up to receive alerts about issues and ordinances affecting pets in your locale. “When you get an alert,” Ledy says, “you’ll get a chance to personalize an email to your elected officials on the issue. It can really make a difference and save lives, and takes just a couple of minutes.” Join the Legislative Action Center.
- I started feeding a family of feral cats in my backyard. Is there some other way to help them?
The best way to help them is to do trap/neuter/return (TNR). Spaying or neutering the cats will make them healthier and happier, and it also humanely prevents them from giving birth to future generations of homeless kittens. Check with your local shelter or rescue group to borrow trapping equipment and to find low-cost or free spay/neuter services. For lots more information about TNR, visit Alley Cat Allies’ website at alleycat.org. DDFL also offers help with stray cat communities.
- I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a volunteer. Is there another way I can help the No More Homeless Pets movement?
You can make an immediate and direct impact by adopting a shelter pet; you can even adopt a rescued purebred. To find a new furry family member and save a life, please follow our Facebook page, and check our “ADOPTABLES” page often!
Another great way to help is to make a donation to Pawsitive Restorations Animal Rescue. Your donations help us to take in some of the worst abuse/neglect/medical cases. We do not get government funding or grants. We rely solely on the donations from our animal loving village to care for our orphans.
“There are lots of ways to provide support, such as financial gifts of cash, stock or real estate, or including a bequest in your will.” You can also make a donation to PRAR in the form of supplies, equipment, treats or toys to help the hundreds of animals we save each year.
- My wife and I can’t adopt a pet right now, but we still want to give hands-on help to animals in need. Is there a volunteer opportunity that’s right for us?
If you miss happy wagging tails or head bumps but can’t commit to adoption, you can get your fix — and help save lives — by fostering homeless animals. PRAR does not have a central facility to house our orphans. We rely solely on loving foster homes to offer temporary sanctuary to our pets. The the number of homeless pets we can save is directly linked to the number of foster parents we have as volunteers.
- My finances are tight. I want to donate to the local rescue group but I don’t think I can swing it.
You’re in luck — there are lots of ways to provide financial assistance without giving a donation. For example, you can use search engines and online shopping sites, such as GoodSearch.com, that will donate their revenue to the rescue group of your choice. You can choose PRAR to be your Charity of choice through Amazon smile! A portion of your purchase price will be donated to PRAR and it won’t cost you a dime! Visit http://www.smile.amazon.com to learn more! You can also volunteer with us to help with our fundraising efforts, such as by staffing a booth at an event or even helping to plan fundraising events!
- Puppy mills need to be put out of business for good, but what can I do to help make that happen?
There are so many things you can do:- Adopt your pets and encourage your friends and family to adopt pets. Most people don’t realize that they’re unknowingly supporting the puppy mill industry when they purchase animals from pet stores or buy a puppy online.
- Talk with the owners of pet stores that sell puppies and ask them to feature homeless pets for adoption instead. If the store chooses not to do so, you can organize peaceful demonstrations in front of the shop and letter-writing campaigns to the owners of the building.
- Add an advocacy message in the signature line of your email to help educate people about the issue, such as: “Help stop puppy mill cruelty. ADOPT – DON’T – SHOP!”
- Convince your local government to ban the sale of animals in pet stores. “You can attend a supervisors’ meeting or city council meeting and ask the legislative body to pass stricter laws for pet stores and dog breeders,” says Elizabeth Oreck, Best Friends’ national manager of puppy mill initiatives. “You can also write or call your city, county, state and federal officials and ask them to take the issue seriously. Your voice matters and you can make a difference.”
- Go to Best Friends’ puppy mill initiatives and click here to support the introduction of laws to regulate pet stores and puppy mills.
- I have a full house and can’t adopt another animal, but I still want to help. What do you suggest?
There are countless ways that you can get involved, such as volunteering with a local group to do trap/neuter/return for community cats, spending time with rescued animals at a shelter to help them become adoptable.
- I’m 15 years old and want to help animals get adopted, but I don’t drive yet. Is there anything I can do from home to help?
You can use your social networking skills to promote our adoptable rescued animals. Ask us if you can help with our Facebook or Instagram efforts, or simply share our posts on your wall to encourage your friends to adopt.