National Dog Day is a fun time to celebrate all the pups in your life. Whether you choose to shower your dog in gifts or take him on a long walk through the park, he is sure to enjoy his day. However, not all dogs are fortunate enough to have loving owners or a place to call home. While you spend National Dog Day loving on your pup, you should consider giving back to one in need. Just a little extra love can help homeless pets and the people who help take care of them.
Volunteer at your local shelter
Animal shelters are always in need of a helping hand. With dozens of pets coming in and out of the shelter all day, employees do not have much time to keep up with the demands of running the shelter. A quick online search will lead you to your local shelter’s website where you may be able to find ways to volunteer your time. You can help clean out kennels, take photos of the pets to be posted online or even offer to walk the dogs.
Be a foster parent
Shelters often have an overflow of animals and not enough space to house them. Many shelters offer foster programs, where people can host a dog in their home for a short period of time, until an owner is found for him. It is a great way to give back without committing to adopting another dog.
Donate food, blankets and toys
Shelters are almost always in need of items to help take care of the animals they house. You can call your local shelter to see what they might need. Donating dog food is a great option, but you might want to check with the shelter to make sure you bring the right kind. If you have some unused toys from your own dogs, you can also take them to the shelter for another pup to enjoy.
Volunteer with Pet Partners
Pet Partners is a non-profit dedicated to training and providing therapy animals to people in need. Pet Partners trains both the dog and owner to go into places such as hospitals, nursing homes and disaster areas to bring comfort to people in need. To learn more about volunteering, visit https://petpartners.org.
