Ways To Help Animal Charities This Holiday Season

The holidays are officially upon us! This time of year is often referred to as the season of giving. Many people find that they prefer giving their loved ones gifts over getting things themselves. That becomes very important for charities, who rely on contributions from patrons to keep them. For animal lovers, there’s certainly no shortage of ways to help. A local Ashburn, VA vet lists a few of them in this article.

Donate Supplies

Animal rescues often struggle to come up with the funds they need to care for their furry wards. Donations of food, toys, bedding, and other supplies are a wonderful way to offer support, and are always welcomed. Just call the organization first, and see what they need the most.

Help With Wish Lists

Many animal rescues and charities create online wish lists, which make it easy for people to help them out. If you have a favorite animal charity, check their website and social media, and see if they have wish lists. Gift cards are always helpful as well.

Volunteer

Money is tight for many people these days. If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, consider volunteering for a local shelter. Even if you only have a few hours a month to spare, it will still make a difference. Plus, you may find it very rewarding. 

Don’t assume that volunteer opportunities are limited to doing things like walking dogs or cleaning kennels. You may also be able to utilize other skills to help out. There may be a need for someone to take photos, help with adoption listings, or perform other office/administrative tasks. If you want to go a bit further, you can even consider fostering!

Host An Event

Are you hosting a holiday party? Turn it into a charity event! Ask people to bring donations of pet food or pet supplies. Or, include an auction, with proceeds going to your favorite shelter or rescue. Bake sales also work well for this.

Adopt

The best way to help animals is to adopt one. Of course, bringing a new pet into your home is a huge decision. Not ready to take the plunge? Many animal welfare organizations offer ‘virtual’ adoptions and sponsorships, often of wild, endangered animals. You may be able to gift a virtually-adopted whale or elephant to someone. This is definitely a much better idea than gifting a pet!Happy Holidays from everyone at Lansdowne Animal Hospital!  Contact us, your local Ashburn, VA pet hospital, anytime!