purrsandhisses.com

I thought National Animal Shelter Appreciation was a month long event. It should be! So even though it ends Saturday, don't stop showing your support for your local animal shelters. I hope we never have to worry about what would happen to homeless animals if we didn't have shelters and rescues to turn to.

Your local animal shelter cares for displaced animals and adopts them into new homes. It investigates cruelty and neglect, reunites lost pets with their families, teaches kids to care about animals, and provides spay/neuter services.

"In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach. " Taken from www.hsus.org

Pledge to Support Your Local Shelter....

1 - Sport a Special Shirt or Tote Bag

Show your support for The HSUS and local animal shelters with an exclusive Shelters Rock t-shirt or tote bag available at all G by GUESS stores, or you can buy the t-shirt online.

2 - Support the no-kill shelters!

Please do let your money go to killing an animal.

3 - Say thank you.

Drop a note of appreciation in the mail.

4 - Add a Banner to Your Webpage

Post a banner to your MySpace profile, blog, or website to show your appreciation for your local shelter.

5 - Make a Small Donation

Shelters can always use cash, but why not get creative? Donate a year's subscription to Animal Sheltering Magazine for just $20, or check out your local shelter's wish list on their website (food, litter, office supplies, cleaning supplies, pet toys pet beds).

6 - Volunteer Your Time

Bathe, feed and help socialize the animals.
Help at adoptions.
Return calls or make calls to recent adopters.
Help do the laundry and other cleaning.

7 - Foster an animal!

Many shelters are over crowded and understaffed.

By fostering you're freeing up space for the many more animals that will come through the doors. Not only that but because the animal lives with you, you help socialize that animal and learn more about their likes, dislikes and personality which makes for a very informed adoption when someone comes asking about that particular animal. Check with the shelter to see if the food, litter and vet costs are covered. Some shelters only offer paying for vet care, others, may pay for everything.