How you can help your local animal shelter
You can do more for pets in your community than you might expect
Shelter employees across the country are some of the most dedicated people working in animal welfare. They care for animals every day, stretch limited resources as far as they'll go, and keep going when the work gets hard.
The most successful shelters in the country aren't necessarily the best funded. They're the ones with communities that show up. Neighbors who know what to do. People like you.
What happens when your community supports local shelters
When Sioux Falls Area Humane Society had a 56% save rate, community members stepped up to help. Through the Rescue Dog Recess program, volunteers chose a dog, picked an outing, and spent the day together with all supplies provided by the shelter.
In just eight months, they completed 973 recesses — nearly 3,000 hours of time outside the shelter for the pups. The shelter's save rate climbed from 56% to 80% in three years. They had the support of their community, and shelters in
“That small investment of time creates meaningful experiences for the dogs and significantly improves their chances of adoption.”
What you can do to help your local shelter today
Help neighbors keep their pets
Help pets find new homes without the shelter
Resources for you and your neighbors in your community
FAQ: How you can help your local animal shelter
I want to help, but I don't have a lot of time. What can I actually do?
You don't have to commit to a big volunteer schedule. Sharing a shelter's social media post about an adoptable pet takes just a minute and gets more animals seen. Checking your local shelter's wish list and dropping off a bag of food or a box of blankets is another quick way to help.
What do animal shelters need most?
Pet food, blankets, and cleaning supplies are usually needed most. Many shelters post their current needs online, so be sure to check your local shelter's website before you shop. They also need volunteers for events, foster volunteers for animals who need a temporary home, and advocates who will contact local legislators about shelter funding.
I don't know whether I can foster. Is it a big commitment?
Fostering can be a few days, a few weeks, or longer, and every animal fostered opens up a spot at the shelter. Most shelters provide supplies and support, so reach out to yours to learn what's involved.
How does advocating for shelter funding actually work?
Contact your city council members or county commissioners to let them know shelter funding matters to you. You can also sign up for the Best Friends Action Team, which sends alerts when local and state legislation affecting animals in shelters is up for a vote.
Is the shelter in my community no-kill? What does that mean?
A no-kill shelter maintains a save rate of 90% or higher for the animals in its care. Many shelters across the country are working toward that goal, and community involvement often matters more than budget size.
Can I help if I can't adopt or foster right now?
Donating to wish lists, sharing adoption posts, advocating to local government, and connecting neighbors to resources like pets.findhelp.com all help local shelters without bringing an animal into your home.
My neighbor is struggling to afford care for their pet. Is there help available?
Yes. pets.findhelp.com is a free tool that locates low- or no-cost pet assistance programs near you, including food banks and help with vet bills. You can share it directly or even look up resources on a neighbor's behalf.
Someone I know needs to rehome their pet. What should they do?
Both rehome.adoptapet.com and home-home.org connect pets directly with new families without the animal needing to go to a shelter. Sharing these resources helps to keep more animals out of shelters.
Why does keeping pets out of shelters matter?
Every animal who enters a shelter requires staff, food, and veterinary care, and some shelters don't have the resources to provide that support. When communities have the tools to help neighbors keep their pets or rehome them safely, shelters can focus their limited resources on the animals who have no other options.
Shelters and rescue groups in your community need caring people like you to adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, and advocate to help save the lives of pets.
When you give us your email address, we'll send you a list of shelters where you live. We'll continue to share more about how you can help save the lives of homeless pets.
When neighbors get involved, more pets make it home
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