8 High-Need Animal Shelter Donations

Published on: 11 June 2018 Last Updated on: 24 July 2024

Every year, there are more than 6 million animals all across the country that end up in animal shelters.

Most of these shelters are staffed by volunteers who rely on the donations of others to keep the shelters up and running. Without these animal shelter donations, the volunteers wouldn’t be able to do their jobs and care for the animals that come through their front doors.

Do you want to donate items that could potentially make a huge difference and allow shelters to give animals the TLC they need?

If so, animal shelters have a long list of items they need on a regular basis.

Here are 8 animal shelter donations you should consider dropping off at the shelter in your area.

1. Pet Food :

This might be one of the more obvious animal shelter donations. But it’s still worth mentioning because shelters simply can’t have enough extra food hanging around.

There are new dogs and cats coming into the average shelter every day. And from the moment they arrive, they have to be fed regularly so that they get the right nutrition.

If you have extra dog food lying around in your home and it hasn’t expired yet, you should consider calling your local animal shelter to see if they have a need for it.

Just make sure the food hasn’t been opened. Shelters won’t be able to use opened bags or cans of food.

2. Dog Beds :

In addition to providing dogs and cats with food upon their arrival, they also need to provide them with a place to sleep.

Many dogs and cats that are turned into animal shelters haven’t gotten a good night’s rest in quite some time.

Therefore, you should consider making animal shelter donations that include dog beds and beds for cats. They will really come in handy when dogs and cats are set up at animal shelters for days, weeks, or months at a time.

3. Litter :

Kitty litter is one of the other items that animal shelters are always on the lookout for. From the moment cats step foot inside of a shelter, they need to have access to clean litter to handle their business.

If possible, you should make sure your animal shelter donations include clumping litter that will be easy for shelter volunteers to clean up. You should also consider adding a litter box to the mix if your shelter needs one.

It’s a good idea to get in touch with a shelter ahead of time to see if they have a specific litter they prefer to use. Animal shelters will be ecstatic if you’re able to provide them with fresh litter for their feline friends.

4. Blankets and Towels :

Blankets and towels are a necessity whenever you’re caring for animals at a shelter.

They can be used for cleaning up messes or setting up a quiet space for the animals to rest.

Either way, shelter volunteers will definitely find good uses for your blankets and towels.

They don’t have to be new, either! In fact, you’re better off donating older blankets and towels to animal shelters that you don’t need anymore.

These items often don’t have much value when you donate them elsewhere. But at an animal shelter, they’ll come in handy in a variety of different ways.

5. Zip-Lock Bags :

One of the keys to running a successful animal shelter is keeping everything organized. From food to treats to toys, you want to keep items where they belong.

Zip-lock bags will help your local shelter do just that. So if you have a bunch of Zip-lock bags sitting in your house right now, you should donate them to a shelter.

Shelter volunteers will be able to keep everything straight when they have places to put the things they use on a regular basis.

6. Pill Pockets :

The Humane Society and other organizations insist on shelter animals receiving the best medical care possible at shelters.

Often times, this means that dogs and cats have to take medications during their shelter stays.

The problem, of course, is that many of them won’t willingly take these medications.

Pill pockets make it possible for shelter volunteers to give dogs and cats their medications without a problem. One box of pill pockets can last for a long time and make it easier than ever for animals to get the medications they need.

7. Kongs :

As you can probably imagine, dogs that are placed in animal shelters can get very bored over time. They can, as a result, get themselves into trouble by chewing on things they shouldn’t.

Kongs are a great solution to this problem. Shelter volunteers can place treats into Kongs and provide dogs with hours and hours of fun.

Shelters are always looking for large Kongs since they usually have a lot of larger dogs in their care. When you donate even just one Kong, you’ll provide a dog with the entertainment it needs in a shelter.

8. Cleaning Supplies :

Keeping an animal shelter clean is of the utmost importance. Shelters usually fly through cleaning supplies on a daily basis.

You can make things easier on them by donating:

Disinfectant wipes
Bleach
Powdered laundry detergent
Dish soap
Paper towels
And more

If you’re not sure about which cleaning supplies would be best for your local animal shelter, give them a call and ask. They would probably be more than happy to let you know which supplies they use most often.

You can help keep your local shelter a lot cleaner by setting them up with the supplies they need.

Make Your Animal Shelter Donations Today :

When you make animal shelter donations, you’ll be helping both the animals in the shelters as well as the volunteers who give up their time to work in them.

You’ll feel great about yourself and know that you did what you could to help the animals even if you couldn’t adopt them.

Animal shelters rely on people like you to allow them to assist as many animals as possible.

Check out our blog for other lifestyle tips that will help you become a better person.

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Ways To Calm Your Anxious Dog

Humans experience anxiety in different situations. Some become nervous in a crowd, others when they are home alone. Did you know that dogs can be anxious, too? If their owner leaves abruptly or doesn’t consider the environment safe, you’ll notice a change in their behavior. How to recognize anxiety and calm your dog? That’s what we are trying to discover in this guide, so let’s check out what you can do if your pet is anxious! How Do I Know If My Dog Has Anxiety? Each dog has different ways of exhibiting anxiety. The most common symptoms include: Pacing around restlesslyBarking excessivelyDestructive behavior, such as destroying stuffPanting and droolingDefecating and urinating indoorsAggressive behaviorShiveringAppetite loss The common anxiety causes include separation from their owners and various fears. Age-related factors and medical conditions could also make your dog anxious. Tips For Calming Anxiety In Dogs Prevention is the best medicine, so it’s best to minimize the risk of anxiety episodes even happening. If you recognize a situation that makes your dog anxious, try to avoid it in the future. Here are some other tips that could assist in calming your dog down! 1. Exercise Your Dog More energy equals a bigger risk of becoming anxious. Let’s say you need to leave your pup home alone for several hours. It helps to take them out for a walk or an exercise session. You can bond while playing fetch and ensure your pet doesn’t have excessive energy when they return home. The chemical component is also important. For example, physical activity stimulates endorphin production. That offers stress relief and promotes a better mood. 2. Physical Contact If you notice your pup is going through an anxiety attack, the primary priority becomes soothing them. They see their owner as trustworthy, so use that to your advantage. You can try putting the pup in your lap, petting them, cuddling them, or whatever you know works. This should last for at least a few minutes until they calm down. 3. Time-Out It might not be possible to stop your dog’s anxiety attack. If you know that’s impossible, create a safe zone for those episodes. You need to explain to your pup that’s where they’ll feel secure during an anxiety attack. The “time-out” zone should secure isolation and promote calmness. You can dim the lights, play some slow music, and even use calming scents. Don’t forget that you should eliminate noise coming from the outside. Dog Anxiety: Treatment You have multiple approaches to treating anxiety in dogs. But it’s necessary to talk to a professional to identify the best method for your pup. They are capable of identifying the anxiety type, trigger, and cause. It’s even more important that vets can eliminate medical conditions as reasons why your dog is anxious. Here are the common approaches used to treat pup anxiety! Using CBD for Dog Anxiety People use cannabis strains and marijuana products with a high CBD content to treat anxiety, stress, pain, and other issues. Some pet owners report that pups could also benefit from CBD oil. It’s necessary to perform research to get confirmation, but sporadic data is encouraging. You should consult your vet about a suitable dose for your pup. The general rule is to apply from one to five milligrams of CBD per ten pounds of the dog’s weight. You should start slowly to see how your dog reacts and increase the dosage only if necessary. i. Can Pets Have Cannabis? Cannabis interacts with the inner endocannabinoid system. It exists in both humans and dogs, but pups have more receptors in the brain. That means marijuana might have a stronger effect on these animals, especially since they are generally lighter than humans. Pets can have cannabis, but caution is advised. Cannabis intoxication isn’t uncommon in dogs, especially due to exposure to edibles. In addition, your pup doesn’t know when they had enough marijuana treats. You need to be careful and observe your pup’s behavior closely. ii. Is Pet CBD Legal in the US? Cannabis products are legal on a federal level in the United States. The condition is the THC content shouldn’t be higher than 0.3%. As for the state laws, each territory has the right to apply specific legislation to marijuana use. For example, Florida cannabis laws only allow medical use of marijuana, although many other states also legalized using it for recreational purposes. Likewise, human laws don’t apply to animals, but you should check with a veterinarian before giving your dog CBD. Anxiety Medications For Dogs Vets will begin by recommending natural remedies, such as supplements, calming scents, and avoiding potential triggers. But if they diagnose your pup has an anxiety disorder, they could prescribe antidepressants and SSRIs. Benzodiazepine could also help, especially when the anxiety trigger is familiar (firecrackers, travels, etc.). Training and Counterconditioning You could try training your dog on how to respond to the anxiety trigger. Instead of exhibiting aggressive behavior, the goal is that they act more positively. For example, if they start feeling anxious, they lie down or come to you. An alternative could be removing the fear from the trigger. For example, if your dog is afraid of cars, begin by only asking them to get in for several days. The next step is going only around the block for weeks. As their tolerance level increases, you can take them on longer rides. Also Read: The Pros And Cons Of Adopting A Puppy Vs. An Older DogWhat To Look For And What To Avoid In Healthy Dog Treats5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs A Dog

10 Reasons Why Your Dog Can Breathe Fast?

Dogs are active and energetic pets, who are always up to games and new experiences. So, it’s obvious that the dog can breathe fast from time to time. The question here is how to determine normal and abnormal breathing, and when the dog owners should worry about their furry friend. Fast breathing is a common situation for all dogs, regardless of their breed, age, and size. Fast breathing is a change in the breathing rate of the dog compared to its normal breathing. Dogs at rest have a normal respiration rate of 10 to 35 breaths per minute. The average dog at rest takes 24 breaths per minute. If you encounter such a problem as a dog respiration rate high, then it can be either a normal situation or a symptom of different health issues. Here is the information about the reasons for the dog’s high respiratory rate. 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Can Breathe Fast? 1. Overheating : Panting is one of the earliest and most common signs, so pay attention if your dog is panting excessively when the temperatures have soared. Breathing is usually fast and noisy. Other symptoms of overheating are sticky gums, abnormal thirst, a dark tongue, increased temperature and heartbeat, glazed eyes. This condition is extremely dangerous because if the body temperature exceeds 109°F (a dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102.5°F), heatstroke occurs. It leads to kidney damage, seizures, brain swelling. 2. Pain/Anxiety : Dog breathing heavily may indicate that the pet suffers from internal or external pain. In this case, make sure that your dog doesn’t have an injury – caress the dog from the neck, through the abdomen, and to the legs. Watch for a reaction. Besides, if the pet is stressed out, then panting may be a sign. There are various reasons for stress: punishment, a visit to the vet, inconsistent training, new experiences, changes in the environment. Some breeds are very sensitive and even minor changes can cause anxiety. 3. Poisoning : If your dog breathing heavily, it can signify poisoning. Dogs like trying new things and they shouldn’t necessarily be edible. Of course, this behavior can lead to poisoning. Check whether your dog can eat an obstruction (e.g. chicken bones), toxic foods (chocolate, fruit with seeds, nuts, onions), a toxic plant or household substance. If your pet has swallowed something, then an immediate visit to the vet is a must! 4. Different Health Issues : Dog breathing heavily can be a sign of many diseases such as heart disease, anemia (caused by a severe flea in puppies and young dogs). Along with this symptom, the dog can suffer from weakness and an increased heart rate. 5. Shock : Shock can be life-hazardous because in this case, the body systems don’t receive enough blood to work properly. There can be different types of shock. Thus, septic shock can be caused by different diseases such as heart failure. Another type of shock is caused by an allergy to food or insect bites. 6. Acid-Base Disorders : Some chronic problems cause certain changes in pH balance, and these changes can result in fast breathing. 7. Upper Airway Obstruction : Brachycephalic breeds or those breeds that have narrow airways, tend to snore. If these dogs suffer from illnesses, connected with inflammations and swelling, then it is difficult for them to get enough oxygen and they breathe faster. 8. Fluid in the Lungs : Dog breathing fast at rest is an everyday occurrence, and one of the reasons in the fluid in the lungs. Actually, some amount of fluid is always present in the dog’s lungs, but an excessive amount can be dangerous. Other signs are low body temperature, blue gums. 9. Cushing's Disease : A dog with adrenal glands, releasing too much cortisol, has Cushing’s disease. Cortisol is known as a hormone of stress, it results in high blood pressure and increased panting. However, this is not the only symptom. Other signs are weight gain, increased urination, hair loss, thinning skin. 10. Swollen Belly : If your dog has an unusual shape of the belly due to bloat or a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, then it can breathe fast. It puts pressure on the diaphragm and that is why the dog can’t take deep breaths. In this case, your dog needs veterinary attention. Thus, fast breathing is a common situation because it is needed for temperature regulation. However, in some cases, it can be a sign of any health problems. Pay attention to the general well-being of your furry companion, pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, and if it is necessary, see the vet. Read Also : Can Dogs Make The Anti-Social Kids Socialize Better? Can Dogs Help Writers Stay Positive During Stress? 5 Reasons Why Your Child Needs A Dog

How Often Should A Horse Be Brushed?

Horses should be brushed daily, and before & after each ride. Rinse the horse off if it is sweaty or wait for it to dry, then brush. It is important to get salt from the sweat off the horse because left on it may cause skin inflammation. Other dirt and materials can also get lodged in the horse’s fur and cause damage to the skin too. How Often Should You Brush A Horse? Brushing a horse is an important part of horse care, as it helps to keep the coat healthy, shiny, and free of dirt and debris. It also improves blood circulation, releases natural oils, and strengthens the bond between the horse and the owner. How often you should brush a horse depends on several factors, such as: The horse's lifestyle: Horses living outside and in herds may not need as much brushing as horses living in stables and ridden frequently. Horses living outside may roll in mud or dust, protecting their skin from insects and weather. Horses that live in stables may accumulate more sweat and dirt, which can cause skin problems or infections. The horse's coat type: Horses with long or thick coats may need more brushing than horses with short or thin coats. Long or thick coats can trap dirt and moisture and require more trimming or clipping. Short or thin coats may dry faster and shed less and may only need a light brushing. The season: Horses may need more brushing during the shedding seasons, which are usually spring and autumn. During these times, horses lose their winter or summer coats and may have more loose hair and dead skin cells. Brushing can help to remove these and prevent matting or tangling. Can Massage Relieve Pain? Even though you will not find a lot of studies on the rewards of massage, as a therapy, it still grows among horse owners, riders, and healthcare providers. It is known that massage therapy lessens and soothes muscle tension in humans and can also achieve similar results in horses. Abating tension comes with pain relief too. Scar tissue also benefits from massage therapy. The tissue is loosened systematically, allowing the horse to move freely with time and reducing the coupling pain. A combination of massage and stretching helps bring back a horse’s mobility post-injury, relieving tension as collagen fibers cure and integrate after trauma. Most owners tend to use old-school brush sets when grooming, which you may know can be cumbersome. Carrying around a curry brush, hard brush, and medium brush can be an inconvenience when you have other things. Well, you can throw your brushes and get ready for the absolute best for your horse’s massage and grooming sessions. With Curry on a Stik, you get a superior massage and grooming quality in an easy-to-handle ergonomically designed handle. This veterinarian-tested tool is not only a grooming tool but a proven therapeutic instrument. It will not only clean, groom, and massage, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your horse. The design of the forks on the curry, creates a pleasurable sensation, turning even the shyest animal into a massage and grooming enthusiast. Whether you are bathing, shedding, or massaging for pain relief, you only have to use one tool from now on, Curry on a Stik. This revolutionary curry not only has a design meant to ease use by arthritic hands, but it also has a handle to enable young people to groom horses from a safe distance. Can Use a 1 Lb. Car or a 1 K Horse Professional horse handlers from the world over love the Curry on a Stik not only for the superior quality massage but also because it brings new health to your horse’s coat. If you have smaller furry pets, fret not, this product can be used on a 1,500 lbs. horse and still do wonders on a 10-pound cat. Can Be Used as a De-shedding Brush You will not have to buy any more shedding brushes when you have Curry on a Stik. Two years went into research on designing this curry to make it as efficient as possible but also give you the most utility available in the market. Can Be Used as a Massaging Brush (Tired/Sore Muscles/“Stagnation”) This curry was first designed as a massage brush and has found favor with equine massage therapists all over the world. In a lot of cases, stagnation is temporary, coming in and out. It usually manifests as a blunt radiating pain that might occur on the front limbs or anywhere on the body. Getting rid of stagnation is best done with a combination of two actions. The first thing we have already covered is the massage with a curry. The second is adjusting the animal’s diet to be more geared towards providing the liver with more nutrition. Ergonomic Handle – Usable by People Who Have Issues with Hand Mobility Arthritic symptoms can bring a rift between you and your horse. There hasn’t been a brush on the market that considers riders and handlers with hand movement difficulties. Even with regular hands, keeping your fingers fastened along the circumference of the curry grows tiring, uncomfortable, and puts gunk right in your nails. The considerate team at Curry on a Stik came up with a design that takes pressure away from your elbow, wrist, and fingers all at the same time. The ergonomic design has even been backed by long-time veterinarian Dr. John Langlois, an accomplished horse expert with an alphabet soup of qualifications. Kids Can Use It Because the Handle Is Longer, so They Can Safely Brush Horses If you are a long-time vet and rider, there is a good chance you started at a very early age and have encouraged your kids (if you have any) to get closer to your horses. Problem is, horses are big and well, kids are small. Most children cannot even reach halfway up the horse’s side, so how are they supposed to massage or groom them? Curry on a Stik, that is how. Its elongated handle was designed specifically with kids in mind. Now, young ones can join in on the bonding process by massaging the horses too. The ergonomic design, coupled with strategic weight distribution, makes it easy to use, even for the little ones. Additionals: Horse Riding As a Hobby How Much are Horse Riding Lessons? How to Train Your Kids for Horseback Riding Riding the Hobby Horse: 4 Benefits of Starting a New Hobby