14 Effective Ways to Help Animals in Need
Helping animals in need can be an incredibly rewarding experience, sometimes meaning the difference between life and death for an abandoned, abused, or homeless animal. There are countless animals in need no matter where you live, and many ways you can help. From fundraising for animal charities to helping endangered species, we can each make a difference. Learn various ways of helping animals in need below, from volunteering to donating, fostering, and adopting.
Understanding animal cruelty and neglect
Animal cruelty can take many forms, such as physical abuse, neglect, and poor care. Signs of abuse may include untreated wounds, thinness, limping, or signs of beatings. Neglect can be seen as a lack of food, water, and unhealthy living conditions. Behavioral signs like extreme fear, aggression, or withdrawal can also show mistreatment. Recognizing these signs is vital to act and stop them. If you suspect animal cruelty, take notes and photos, if possible, and gather information.
Reporting and combating animal cruelty
It is heartbreaking to see an abused animal, and there is no reason why any animal should have to suffer abuse. Animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 states, and abuse toward animals is repeatedly seen as an indicator of future violent crime. Report it to local animal control, law enforcement, or animal welfare organizations by doing the following:
- Collect information, photos, and notes of any evidence of cruelty.
- Report any suspicious puppy mills.
- Reach out to your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or humane society with the evidence to file a report.
- Do not confront the pet owner aggressively as this could pose more risk for you and the animal.
- Consult with other neighbors that can corroborate your story for additional witnesses.
- Prioritize your safety and report anonymously if needed.
- Never remove the animal without authorization.
Animal control and organizations like the Humane Society play a crucial role in protecting animals from cruelty. They investigate reports of animal abuse and rescue animals and enforce laws to ensure that animals are treated humanely. Active community involvement is essential in supporting these efforts. Individuals can volunteer at local shelters, participate in awareness campaigns, and advocate for stronger animal protection laws.
How you can help animals in need
1. Adopt a pet from a shelter
Selecting a reputable animal shelter is a crucial step in finding the perfect furry companion. It’s important to visit the shelter in person and assess the cleanliness, organization, and overall environment for the animals. Ask questions about the shelter’s adoption process, veterinary care, and community involvement. Reputable shelters are transparent about their policies and prioritize the well-being of their animal residents. You can also check if recognized organizations accredit the shelter, which often indicates that they adhere to high standards.
Owning a pet is a big responsibility. It involves daily care, exercise, vet visits, and social interaction. Before getting a pet, consider the time, effort, and resources required. Remember, pets are lifelong companions who need love, care, and stability. Be prepared to embrace the responsibilities that come with providing a forever home as a pet caregiver.
But if you can’t adopt a pet, learn how to help the animals in your community in many ways:
2. Volunteer with the Humane Society
The Humane Society offers opportunities to help any local animal in all 50 states and is always accepting new volunteers. Volunteer duties range from working directly with animal rescue and response teams to organizing community outreach events and saving animals that are abused.
3. Sponsor a shelter animal
Many shelters also offer the option to sponsor an individual pet. Usually, these animals are difficult to rehome, sometimes due to either behavioral or medical issues. As long-term residents of the shelter, your donation will help cover their ongoing cost of care. You’ll also be able to visit your sponsor creature and take them on walks. Starting a fundraiser can be a great way to provide financial assistance to sponsor one, if not many, shelter animals.
4. Raise money for veterinary costs
Many animals who suffer abuse also require costly surgery. Depending on the nature of the injury or illness, veterinary costs including surgery can exceed $8,000 for one. Surgery can be lifesaving, and starting a fundraiser can help. Contact your local shelter of animals to find one in need, and start a fundraiser to help cover the cost of vet bills. Make sure to include a breakdown of medical expenses in your fundraiser to show donors the cost of treatment.
5. Donate to an Animal Charity
You can support nonprofits who are on the ground actively working to prevent animal cruelty while also supporting and rehoming animals who have experienced abuse. This list of the best animal charities to donate to on GoFundMe is a great place to start.
6. Start a fundraiser for an Animal nonprofit
By starting an animal fundraiser, you can rally support for animal nonprofits in your community and spread awareness on ways you can help. The funds can go to neuter and spaying animals in the shelter plus needed supplies like blankets, pet food, and more.
7. Foster an animal
Becoming a foster parent to a dog or cat in need of a home can be rewarding for everyone involved. Fostering an animal helps relieve crowded shelters, and gives that animal a higher chance at a quick adoption. Taking your foster dog to community events or parks is a fun activity for you both, and a great way to let others know the animal is available for adoption.
Before embarking on this journey, it’s crucial to consider factors like your living situation, available time, and the compatibility of existing pets. Fostering not only offers animals a safe haven before adoption, but it also enables potential foster parents to contribute to the well-being of animals without a long-term commitment.
8. Encourage your friends and family to adopt a pet
If a friend or a family member expresses an interest in getting a pet, try and gently encourage them to adopt instead of shopping for their pet.
9. Rewild your garden
Did you know you can create a whole ecosystem in your garden simply by letting it grow? Let your garden return to the wild side and you will be helping create a habitat for bugs and other small animals to thrive. You will also create a perfect environment for wildflowers to grow which attract pollinators. Wildflowers provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution, and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground
10. Go meat free, even one day a week
One of the biggest ways to help animals and the planet is by going meat free. By cutting meat out of your diet you are helping animals by reducing the demand for livestock farming, thereby decreasing the number of animals raised and slaughtered for food.
11. Host an adoption event
An adoption event can be an effective way for a lot of animals to quickly find their forever home. You can organize an independent event and share with your colleagues, family, and friends, or partner with an animal shelter to host a larger event.
12. Share your knowledge
Pick a platform of your choice, from Instagram to TikTok, and create a page dedicated to showcasing animals in need of adoption. Focus on one specific category to gain the most traction, such as location, breed, or species. Feature animals from different shelters, and follow up with a success story after each adoption.
13. Support a spaying program
When pet owners can no longer take care of their pet, some may see abandoning them as the only option. Animal abandonment is a widespread issue. In 2023 6.5 million cats and dogs entered shelters across America.
The staggering number of homeless animals is due in large part to overpopulation, something which is easily preventable through proper spaying and neutering. Low-cost spay and neuter programs are essential to prevent unplanned litters and keeping shelter numbers down. These programs also often include comprehensive pet health checks, microchip, vaccinations, and medical care. Organize a fundraiser to support spay and neuter programs in your area.
14.Get involved in the community
Community-based animal welfare programs promote responsible pet ownership through low-cost clinics and educational workshops. Most cities have an animal welfare department, and volunteers are always needed. Animal control is often the first to know about homeless animals, and many of these animals end up at the city’s shelter. Volunteer opportunities could include socializing and walking dogs, or assisting with adoption paperwork.
Start an initiative to raise awareness about the physical and environmental signs of animal abuse. Create fliers with information about the warning signs, and include resources for how to report animal cruelty. Reach out to local authorities as well to advocate for stronger animal protection laws and regulations.
15. Create a fundraiser
Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year this is less than the total number of dogs and cats entering U.S. animal shelters on an annual basis. Adopting a shelter animal fills an urgent need, and often brings irreplaceable joy to the individuals and families that do adopt.
You can help by organizing a fun community event as a way to raise funds to help a shelter. A couple of fundraising tips include sharing your fundraiser with family and friends and promoting your cause on social media. Some community fundraising ideas include a walk-a-thon for people and their pets, organizing a car wash, or hosting a silent auction.
Many people have used online fundraising to successfully raise money to help animals in need. See a few examples below of how others are using crowdfunding to make a positive impact in the lives of animals.
Successful fundraisers that help animals in need
Many people have used online fundraising to successfully raise money to help animals in need. See a few examples below of how others are using crowdfunding to make a positive impact in the lives of animals.
Community supporting smaller shelters
Susan, a remarkable woman with a heart as vast as her dedication to her animals, has been a beacon of hope for countless abandoned, injured, and neglected creatures for years. Her home has become a sanctuary where every animal is met with love, care, and the promise of a better life. After the death of her husband she was struggling to keep up with the care demands for all her animals on her own. Her community came together to support Susan by raising more than $10,000 to cover essential expenses such as veterinary care, check-ups, emergency treatments, vaccinations, surgeries, food, supplies, and toys for the foreseeable future.
Fundraiser for emergency animal rescue
Stony Creek Farm is raising money to save 4 horses from a kill pen in Oklahoma. They needed to raise $10,000 to rescue two mares with their babies that were in danger of being slaughtered if they didn’t help. They managed to raise enough money to pay their bail out of the pen and to get them to Massachusetts so they could be vetted and fed.
Do your part to help animals in need
The bond between animals and humans is both unique and special. We can all do our part to ensure animals in need get the help they deserve. Coming together as a community to help animals thrive in a new forever home can be incredibly impactful. If there is a cause close to your heart, a fundraiser can help. Sign up today to start your fundraiser for helping animals in need, and see what kind of an impact you can make when you bring people together around a common goal. GoFundMe is on hand to answer all your fundraising questions and to help make your animal fundraiser a success.