Let’s face it, with the cost of everything going up from dog food to kitty litter, animal shelters and pet food pantries need help more than ever. Yet with personal budgets stretched thin, it can be overwhelming with so many nonprofits vying for your support. But there is a way to help! Giving can be more than making a financial donation. It can also mean giving of yourself by sharing your time and talents. There are many other ways to give back today and every day that will help animals this Holiday Season and throughout the year, while also not straining your budget. 

The daily operation of animal shelters, rescues, pet food pantries and pets for vets programs require a lot of work, and they depend heavily on volunteers. This is a busy time of year for these volunteers, and the extra support for their organizations would be greatly appreciated.  Here is just a sampling of the many ways in which you can volunteer to help:

• Animal Socialization: Dog walker, Obedience training, Cat socialization, Spending time with small animals
• Caring for Animals: Feeding, Filling water bowls, Cleaning crates, Grooming
• Shelter Maintenance: Scooping poop, Cleaning litter pans, Washing food bowls, Laundry, Keeping shelter clean and organized, Handyman projects
• Fostering: Special in-home care for animals in need including those that are pregnant, ill, or with behavioral issues; Providing specialized socialization for future service dogs
• Fundraising / Events: Organizing a fundraiser, Promoting the nonprofit at events, Answering questions, Manning tables, Handling animals at adoption events, Helping behind the scenes with online events 
• Administration: Answering phones, Responding to emails, Data entry, Filing, Assisting with mailings, Assembling adoption and information packets
• Outreach: Maintaining and updating social media presence on an organization’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts; Spreading the word about organizations that you support
• Education: Going to schools, scouting troops and youth groups to educate children on animals and the important work of shelters, pet food pantries, and pets for vets programs

There are many volunteer opportunities that will not stretch an already strained budget. The only requirement is your commitment of time and talents. So on this Giving Tuesday, we urge you to think about what skills you have or creative ideas that could help. We also ask that you contact your local animal shelter, rescue, pet food pantry, pets for vets program, or other pet related nonprofits for more information on how you can make a big difference lending a helping paw this Holiday Season and throughout the year.