If you are unable to make a donation directly to Melanie’s HOPE (Help Our Pets Endure) you can always make a donation to your local non-profit animal rescue organization in the name of Melanie’s HOPE. This can be in the form of monetary or non-monetary (see below for more ideas) donations.

Other ways to help
Even though you may not have extra time or money, you can still help your local animal shelter or rescue during difficult economic times. Even small donations of time, items, and money can make big differences for shelter animals and volunteers.

SHOP AND DONATE:
Check with your local animal shelter or rescue and see if they participate in a shop and give program. This supports and helps animals with every purchase

DONATE YOUR TIME:
Volunteering for a shelter or rescue is one of the most impactful ways to get involved. Many shelters need help with cleaning and caring for the animals, and keeping the facility in good condition. Call your local shelter or rescue to see if they need extra volunteers and to learn more about volunteering.

DONATE YOUR SKILLS:
Do you have a special talent or hobby?
Photography, creating video, web design? Photographing shelter pets or highlighting one in an adoptable pet video for their adoption profile can bring attention to a pet that is often overlooked. A great photo on a pet’s profile will make them more likely to catch an adopter’s eye and bring a potential adopter into the shelter. Post the pics to your social media, such as Facebook, twitter, etc. and show them to your friends and relatives, or post the pictures at a public place or event. You can also use one of the many free websites (such as wix.com) to create a webpage to showcase pets in need of adoption.

If you enjoy writing, offer to write newsletters for the shelter/rescue. News from a shelter or rescue always increases donations from people on their mailing list. The more frequently newsletters are sent out, the greater the donations.

Got social media skills? Volunteer to be the shelter or rescue’s online community manager to create compelling content, post adoption or found photos, recruit new volunteers, and communicate with the public. Social media platforms are also a great place to post educational information related to pet guardianship and general animal welfare.

If you have carpenter or handyman skills, seriously consider giving your time to help get repairs done. Not only will you improve conditions for the volunteers and animals, you may even be saving the shelter or rescue hundreds of dollars.

GIVE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE:
Contact your local shelter or rescue group to see if it has a wish list of items it needs. Look around your house for any of the items needed. You may also find some of those items being sold very cheap at a garage sale, thrift stores, consignment stores, Goodwill’s, etc. Snatch up the great deals and then donate the things to your local animal shelter or rescue. Send the shelter or rescue’s list of needs to your friends and family. You may find people who have items they would like to donate. Be sure to clean any supplies before you donate them.
Examples of items a shelter/rescue organization could use are:
Cat or dog food (unopened, wet and dry)
Dog/Cat treats
Toys
Water and food bowls
Pet beds
Leashes and collars
Brushes/grooming tools
Blankets
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Cleaning supplies
Hand sanitizer
Paper towels and toilet paper
Old newspapers
Office supplies

SPAY AND NEUTER:
The homeless pet population can be significantly reduced simply by having your adopted pets spayed or neutered. Each year millions of animals are euthanized because careless people don’t spay or neuter their pets. Not only will this stop overpopulation, but fewer animals will accidentally be born only to be taken to the shelter and can ensure that every pet has a family to love them. Spaying and neutering not only prevents health risks in pets but also reduces your dogs or cat’s urge to roam, making them more likely to stay at home, where they will be safe with you! There are usually low cost spay and neuter programs available in your area.

MICROCHIP:
Make the job of shelters and rescues easier: by micro-chipping your pets and updating pet identification tags. Keep your cats indoors, where you can keep them safe.

FOSTER:
Help to socialize and care for homeless animals by becoming a foster parent to a shelter pet. Being a foster to a pet is a great way to help out your local shelter or pet rescue from the comfort of your own home; as well as a rewarding experience that will lead to fewer shelter pets being euthanized. It also gives pets more time to find their forever homes while being in a temporary home filled with love. Contact your local shelter or rescue group to learn more about fostering animals.

STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY:
Please report animal cruelty! If you know the person housing the animal where you suspect neglect is happening, or if an animal is left outside without proper shelter, food and water, you can help. You can call your local Animal Control Office and file a report. Never approach someone in anger or using an accusatory tone or language…leave that to the authorities.

ADOPT, DON’T SHOP:
Animal reproductive mills (puppy mills) supply pets to many unscrupulous sellers and pet shops. Buying from these unscrupulous sellers feeds the mass production of these animals, making them a commodity as opposed to what they are supposed to be-a loving companion and family member. Shelters and rescues have many animals that need loving homes. Shelters and recues ensure the animal is safe and healthy before adopting them out. Many that cannot be adopted end up being euthanized. Help save these pets that need love and companionship and say no to the horrendous industry of mass animal breeding for profit by standing up to the estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States and avoid buying animals from unscrupulous pet sellers, brokers, and stores. And remember, adopting a pet is a lifetime decision for that pet. Cats and dogs can be a 12-20 year commitment. Think before you decide.

SUPPORT TNR (TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE) PROGRAMS:
About 70 percent of shelter cats end up being killed; this statistic includes strays, feral, and surrendered cats. Join your local cat initiative to keep cats safe from being put down by promoting TNR for feral cats and practicing responsible pet guardianship.

DONATE YOUR GAS AND TIME:
Long and Short-Distance Transport. Sometimes the only barrier between a homeless pet and love is distance. You can help by volunteering to transport a shelter pet for one leg of a long-distance journey or local travel to that pets new family. Also you can lend a hand to your local rescue group by providing transportation for newly rescued pets to the vet or to adoption events.

EDUCATE OTHERS:
The first step to making change, is understanding what we can do and why we should do it. Lead by example and be a model to teach compassion and kindness to children today which will lead to a more humane tomorrow.