The first full week in August marks Give A Dog A Bone Week. This holiday was founded by Pets of the Homeless, a nonprofit organization that provides food, supplies, and vet care for pets that belong to homeless people as well as stray cats and dogs.

Organizations like Pets of the Homeless as well as shelters and rescues work hard everyday to protect the lives of animals, but they need our help. You can do your part by making a donation today. Best of all, you might already have supplies laying around that you can donate to help make a difference in an animal’s life.

Top 10 Supplies To Donate To Animal Shelters and Rescues

1.Coats and sweaters.

Has your puppy outgrown their coat or sweater? Or do you have extra outerwear that your pet no longer needs? Gently used apparel for pets can provide warmth to pets that belong to homeless people. Shelters may also accept sweaters that pets can wear to keep warm on walks or to accentuate their cuteness in their adoption listing photos.

2.Towels and blankets.

Towels and blankets can keep pets warm and dry, and they don’t have to be pretty. Stained or faded fabrics are fine, so long as they are clean, free of holes or loose stuffing, and machine washable.

3.Leashes and collars.

Clean, gently used or new leashes, harnesses, and collars are always needed for walks, for holding ID tags, and for newly adopted pets to wear when they leave the shelter.

4.Crates, carriers, and cages.

Cages and carriers are essential for safely transporting pets between facilities and can also be distributed to pet parents that may not be able to afford new items. Clean, gently used equipment is always needed.

5.Food.

Did your pet’s new food fail to satisfy their taste buds? Pet food donations are always needed at pet food banks, shelters, and for dogs and cats that belong to homeless people. Unopened bags of dry food and canned food are almost always accepted. Open bags of dry food are sometimes accepted depending on the organization.

6.Office supplies.

Is it time to clean out your office supply closet? Why not donate unneeded items to a local shelter? While office supplies may not come to mind when it comes to donations for animal organizations, these items can help free up their budget for other supplies. Items commonly used for office and administrative work may include pens, paper clips, staplers, office chairs, stamps, mailing envelopes, storage bins, and batteries.

7.Toys.

Cat and dog toys are always needed by shelters and animal rescue organizations. New toys are preferred, but some organizations accept gently used toys as well. Look for washable, durable toys that do not have any easily breakable parts that could pose a choking hazard. Enriching and mentally stimulating toys like classic Kong, cat wands, and puzzle toys are all popular at animal shelters.

8.Newspapers and puppy pads.

Newspapers can be shredded and used to line cages in some animal shelters, though not all facilities can use them. Puppy pads as well as unwanted medical bed pads for humans are used in most shelters and animal rescue organizations.

9.Kitchen items.

If you typically buy supplies in bulk or otherwise have extra items on hand, consider donating items that your shelter might need, but may not typically receive as donations. Paper plates and plastic baggies are needed to serve and store meals for pets. Water bottles are needed in break rooms for employees and volunteers. Disposable aluminum baking trays are commonly used as litter boxes for cats.

10.Cleaning supplies.

Animal shelters and rescues are always in need of cleaning supplies to clean up messes and prevent the spread of disease. Paper towels, disinfectants, multipurpose cleaners, scrubbers, sponges, hand sanitizer, and just about anything you might use to clean, your local shelter can likely use.

How To Donate Supplies For Animals in Need

All donations, big and small, can help support animals in need. If you have supplies to donate, contact your local shelter or animal rescue organization for drop-off hours and instructions. Many shelters have an online shopping list that you can browse or shop online to have supplies sent directly to the facility.

Of course, monetary donations are always appreciated. Organizations can order supplies in bulk with monetary donations, and most can take payments online.

Lastly, consider donating your time and skills by volunteering. Even a few hours can make a big difference in the lives of pets in need.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.