PET TIP OF THE WEEK What You Can Do To Help

In past weeks I have written about tips to help your pet. This week I want to write about what you can do to help other pets.

I hear many people say they wish they could do more or wish they could take in all the homeless animals. Well that is just not at all possible but there are things, little things that you can do that will help in very big ways. You don't have to take in all the strays or even one stray but you could help those that do take in the strays.

As a rescue I have limited funds that I have to stretch out to care for the animals. There are things that I would love to buy but just don't have the money to spare. You might think these things are so inexpensive but when it comes to food or extra stuff, food wins out every time.

Here is a list of things that you can buy and donate to a rescue group near you:

Paper plates: For about 3 dollars, you could buy a big pack of cheap paper plates. These really are a luxury item in a rescue. It is so nice to open a can of food, put it on a paper plate then throw it away after a meal. However it is not something that I spend money on because I have plates that I can wash. But when it is donated to our rescue, it is as valuable as gold!

Plastic spoons: Again, it would be nice to scoop out a portion of canned food onto a plate and then throw it away. This is something that I wont even spend a buck fifty on, but when it is given to us, I so appreciate it. I actually get excited!

Feeding syringes. You can find these with the baby medications. They are for measuring medications. The syringes have a little tip so it is easier to give the infant liquid medication. This is so helpful when feeding pets as well. The little tip is easy to push between the jaws. It is easier then an eye dropper. I used these like there is no tomorrow when i am feeding litters without a momma cat. Its accurate measuring and I can see just how much the kitten is eating. Its faster then feeding with a bottle and I can even put a feeding tube on the tip if I need to tube feed. This is an invaluable tool and I am always wishing for more. I will buy them only when I need them and that means a trip to the store and an extra expense.

Toys: This is something that I simply will not buy for the pets in our rescue. Instead my kitties play with milk rings and tops and empty boxes. Those make great toys but get boring after a while. I will be the first to tell you that a variety of toys is better for indoor cats to keep them interested in playing and staying active, but the truth is, lack of funds don't allow me to buy them.

Treats: I don't buy treats but I do make them. However many rescues lack in this area. It would be nice to give a dog a cookie or a kitty a cracker just because we love them and want to give them a treat, but many rescues do not have the funds to splurge. The animals are fed and a treat is just an unnecessary expense.

You have things laying around the house that you might even consider throwing away that would be so helpful to a rescue group. We don't throw nuthin away.

Old quilts or bed spreads that are faded and may even have holes are great to fold up on the floor to give a pet a soft place to sleep or line a cage for a nursing mother. I go through so many blankets with nursing mothers. I have to change their bedding at least once a day and sometimes twice depending on the mother cat. Some are "neater" then others. Old pillow cases, and sheets are also always appreciated too. We often glue Velcro to the opening of pillow cases and stuff with old flannel shirts to make comfy beds. Its easier to clean then a bed because all I have to do is open the case, throw the "stuffing" and the pillow case in the washer then dryer then put it all back together again. NICE!


Towels that are old and faded that have lost their plushness are fantastic for animals. Personally we are always looking for junk towels to clean up the messes that kitties make, dry the floor after mopping because with animals, its not a good idea to leave a floor to air dry. I know some rescues even use the old towels as feeding towels because it provides a larger feeding area that multiple cats can get to easily. They pour the dry food on the towel, when food is gone, they pick it up and wash it.

It is hard in this economic times to donate money, but your time is just as appreciated. You might not be in a position to take an animal into your home and foster it, but you can offer it love and attention at the shelter. You can feed it at the shelter. You can empty the box and give it some place clean, in a shelter. Never underestimate your gift of time.