15 Ways You Can Help Animals At Sanctuaries, Shelters And Beyond

Looking to make a difference for animals? No matter your budget, location, skills, or time availability, this guide provides various ways for you to support animals in need!

Photo of Wayne, resident at GLO Farm Sanctuary

SUPPORTING ANIMAL SANCTUARIES

There are many ways we can offer our help!

1. Donations

Sanctuaries mostly rely on donations and often post on their websites and social media platforms easy ways to support them. You can make one-time donations to cover the cost of the medical expenses of a particular rescue or medical emergency. You can also sign up for recurring donations, such as sponsoring the care of a specific animal. Sponsors often receive sweet updates and photos of their animal.

2. In-Person Volunteering

Want to help out directly? You can apply to assist with feeding, cleaning, grooming and providing enrichment activities for the animals. People with skills in facility maintenance, landscaping, construction and repairs can also offer to help to keep the sanctuary a clean and safe space for the animal residents. If you are interested in doing education and outreach, you can offer to help with events and programs to help educate people about the importance of animal welfare.

Sharing kindness and care with our sanctuary companions.

3. Virtual Volunteering

Live too far away but still want to help? There are so many ways to help remotely! Share sanctuary updates, stories and fundraising campaigns on social media platforms to help attract supporters. If you’re skilled, you can offer your skills in website development, graphic design or content creation to help with sanctuaries’ online presence

4. Provide Supplies and Resources

Other types of donations are also so appreciated! This includes donations of food, bedding, toys and medical supplies. If you have the means, you can also offer your transportation services to help get animals to veterinary appointments or to the sanctuary.

5. Advocate for Policy Changes

Advocate for animal-friendly legislation by signing petitions and contacting legislators. There are many social media platforms that do an excellent job of facilitating these opportunities for people. They provide links to petitions and online forms to easily send letters to legislators.

Animal Sanctuary: Where spirits are free and hearts find refuge.

6. Help Out with Community Events

Working with the sanctuary to coordinate community outreach projects, volunteer days or fundraisers is a great way to get involved in volunteering and also recruit others to donate either their time, resources or skills for the well-being of animals.

SUPPORTING ANIMAL SHELTERS

7. Adopt

If you are able, adopt from local shelters to provide animals with a loving home. 💗

8. Foster

Fostering from local shelters provides animals with temporary care until a permanent home is found. This helps reduce overcrowding in shelters and frees up space for other animals in need. Fostering can also provide temporary homes for animals who are not yet ready for adoption, such as puppies, kittens, or animals recovering from illness or surgery.

Fostered souls finding love and warmth.

9. Volunteer

If you have time, volunteering at a shelter can include walking dogs, socializing with animals, cleaning kennels, helping with adoption events and administrative tasks.

10. Donations - Financial or Supplies

Financial donations can help with medical expenses, spaying/neutering and community outreach efforts. Supplies that are much appreciated by animal shelters include pet food, bedding, toys, leashes, collars, litter and cleaning supplies.

Looking to support animals in other unique ways? Here are 5 additional actions you can take to help animals.

11. Photography and Videography

Offer your photography or videography skills to capture high-quality images and videos of the animals at the sanctuary or shelter. These visuals can be used for promotional materials, social media campaigns, and adoption profiles to help showcase the animals and attract potential adopters.

Witness the beauty of animals in their natural habitat.

12. Wildlife Conservation Projects

Get involved in wildlife conservation projects focused on protecting endangered species, preserving habitats, and promoting biodiversity. Volunteer with organizations that conduct research, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring programs.

13. Animal Rights Advocacy and Education

Engage in animal rights advocacy and education by raising awareness about issues such as animal cruelty, factory farming, wildlife exploitation, and the ethical treatment of animals. Participate in protests, sign petitions, and support campaigns aimed at promoting animal rights and welfare.

Safeguarding the ocean and its wondrous creatures.

14. Conservation Focused Travel 

Planning a vacation? Consider participating in conservation-focused travel experiences and ecotourism initiatives that support wildlife and sustainable tourism practices by reputable organizations committed to environmental and wildlife protection.

15. Support through Business or Hobbies

Do you own a business? Or maybe do arts and crafts as a hobby? Consider using your company or crafty skills to help animals. Fundraising events can be organized to donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sales of your items towards supporting sanctuaries or shelters.

Each and every act of kindness towards animals creates a brighter, more compassionate world.

Photo of Wayne, at GLO Farm Sanctuary