BigSweetDogs.com

By Ryan Reynolds the Dog

My Mom says she can’t adopt any more dogs. Frankly, I don’t see why not. We have plenty of free space on the floor, there always seems to be enough to eat and drink, and my sister Nova the Husky and I would LOVE another pup to play with.

I think when humans say “can’t,” they usually mean “I’m worried something might break.” From what I can tell, love does not work like that.

But for the sake of this post, let’s say we really can’t have another dog. Here are four more ways people can help shelter dogs like me and Nova.

Donate Supplies

Let’s face it, most animal shelters have more pets than they can comfortably manage, and every little bit helps. Consider donating food, treats, toys, beds, and other supplies to a local animal shelter in your community. Some dogs arrive with nothing but a collar that doesn’t fit and a very big question mark. A nice bed or a toy can make a rough day feel survivable. Even the smallest donation can make a big difference.

Volunteer

Animal shelters rely heavily on volunteers to help with daily work. You might be surprised by the wide variety of ways people can lend a hand.

Some common volunteer roles include:

• Dog walking and playtime
• Cat care and socialization
• Cleaning and laundry
• Feeding and watering
• Marketing support (taking photos, writing bios, and creating descriptions to help animals get adopted)

Not every dog needs a hero. Some of us just need a calm human who walks at our pace and doesn’t mind stopping to sniff the same spot twice.

If you’re willing to help, shelter staff are usually more than happy to find something you’re comfortable doing (no superhero cape required).

Foster a Pet

Did you know you can bring a pet into your home without committing to adoption?

There are two common ways to do this. First, you can foster a pet in your home while the shelter works to find them a forever family. You may be asked to bring the pet to adoption events or meet prospective adopters.

Second, many shelters offer a “Doggy Day Out” (or similar) program. This means you can take a dog out for just one day, maybe to the park for some fresh air, exercise, and a break from shelter life. For a dog, one normal day can be a very big deal. Also: Best. Day. Ever.

Donate Money

Some people want to help but don’t have the time or bandwidth to do more, and that’s perfectly okay. Making a monetary donation allows shelters to use funds where they’re needed most.

Donated funds may go toward things you might not have considered, such as:

• Veterinary services, including surgery
• Specialized veterinary care
• Special food or medical supplies
• Medications
• Foster supplies
• And so much more!

I was adopted from an animal shelter myself, and I can tell you from experience, it can be a very scary place. I’m so happy to share information that might help you help other pets like me. We’re all just waiting for our chance (and maybe a comfy couch).

Love,
Ryan Reynolds the Dog

P.S. If you can’t adopt right now, that’s okay. You can still help in many other ways. And if you do suddenly realize you have room on the floor for one more dog… well, I support that decision completely. (Don’t tell my mom I said that).