Pet overpopulation and animal homelessness is a community responsibility. Help by doing your part! The best way to get involved is to start in your own community. Whether you have 40 hours a week or just 40 minutes, every little bit counts. Here are a few ways you can help animals in your community:
Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on your dog or cat at all times. Spay or neuter your pet. Always keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. In addition to the basics—food, water, shelter, and veterinary care—give your pet lots of love and attention. For guidance on pet care, visit www.PetsforLife.org.
Make a donation to your local animal shelter. Donate food, old blankets and towels, or other needed supplies. Contribute to one of its special programs. To locate your nearest shelter, visit www.Pets911.com.
Lend a hand. Volunteer your time at your local shelter. Bathe and groom the animals, walk dogs, or play with cats. Stuff envelopes for a mailing. Help publicize an event. Contact your local shelter for information on what volunteer opportunities are available or look up volunteer information at www.Pets911.com or www.VolunteerMatch.org.
Find that special someone. Choose your next pet from your local shelter, which has many wonderful dogs and cats of different shapes and sizes just waiting for a permanent, loving home. For information on pet adoption, visit our Pet Adoption Information section.
Help spread the word. Tell your friends about your local shelter's services. Promote animal safety and responsible pet ownership. Celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week the first full week of November.
Vote for the animals. Support legislation to protect animals. Contact government officials about animal issues and urge them to support pro-animal legislation. To learn how, visit our Citizen Lobbyist Center.
Be a hero. Report animal cruelty and neglect as well as injured or stray animals. You may prevent suffering and even save a life. For information on how, visit our page on reporting animal abuse or neglect.
Teach your children well. Instruct children in how to care for animals properly and how to treat them with kindness. Set an example by doing the same. For more information and to order humane education materials, visit our affiliate Humane Society: Youth.
Get a Job. You don't have to have to be a veterinarian to help animals! There are plenty of jobs in animal welfare. To see some of the jobs available, visit our HSUS job listings and the listings of jobs available in animal shelters nationwide.
Updated Jan. 3, 2008
