Best Animal Rescue To Donate To?

[iheartscience]

I'm planning to make a donation to an animal rescue, but I'm not sure which one to donate to. I thought I'd check with my fellow animal lover PSers about the best route to help fur babies.

Do you all donate money and/or physical items to your local animal rescues? Or to the big ones like the SPCA and the Human Society? Or both? I'm not familiar with the local rescues where I am because I just moved here, but I could always donate to the one I got my Ophelia from back home.

I'd volunteer myself but I just don't have it in me...it will depress me too much and I'll end up with 20 cats and dogs in my 750 square foot house.

 

[kefira]

If you live in the US (and maybe Canada?), you can use Petfinder or even just Google to locate groups in your area. I find that Petfinder is more helpful, personally, since some groups are so small they don't have much web presence. Then you can check out their individual page and see if there's a particular one you want to support, like if you want to support a no-kill shelter, a specific breed rescue, one that's more convenient to get to, or whatever. Whomever you choose, they will love the support! There are places that aren't depressing to volunteer at (in my experience), so keep an eye out for that in case you change your mind.

 

[LAJennifer]

I'm planning to make a donation to an animal rescue, but I'm not sure which one to donate to. I thought I'd check with my fellow animal lover PSers about the best route to help fur babies.

but I could always donate to the one I got my Ophelia from back home.

Thing2 - I think that would be best to give back to Ophelia's rescue. Whether you want to give money, or donate old blankets, sheets, towels, pillows, unopened cat food - it is all appreciated.

My personal favorite rescue organizations are Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles (amazing!) and Tree House Cats here in Chicago. Also, Fixnation.org is a not for profit, all volunteer, org that runs by donations only. What they do is amazing - they train the public how to trap feral, lend out the traps. fix the ferals absolutely free as well as giving the kitties rabies vaccination, distemper vaccination, deworm them and give a flea treatment. Then the trapper picks them up and returns them to where they were found - promising to watch over the colony by feeding, watering and watching for signs of illness.

Just a few for you to to look into.

 

[yssie]

I'm planning to make a donation to an animal rescue, but I'm not sure which one to donate to. I thought I'd check with my fellow animal lover PSers about the best route to help fur babies.

Do you all donate money and/or physical items to your local animal rescues? Or to the big ones like the SPCA and the Human Society? Or both? I'm not familiar with the local rescues where I am because I just moved here, but I could always donate to the one I got my Ophelia from back home.

I'd volunteer myself but I just don't have it in me...it will depress me too much and I'll end up with 20 cats and dogs in my 750 square foot house.

We're still donating to the shelter we got Garett and Gretta from. I don't imagine we'll ever stop - I know we can't help all of them, so I've just made that one my priority. They did a lot of free and reduced cost work for street animals and lower-income owners and never had enough to go around (does any shelter?) I did volunteer in spare evenings, but I admit I avoided kitten season after the first year. They definitely need *stuff*, just as much as money, and ours had an arrangement with a couple of the local big box stores so they appreciated gift cards too.

If you want to volunteer your time but don't necessarily want to spend it directly interacting with the animals maybe look into other services they might need? Computer stuff, organization stuff, event planning...

 

[Gypsy]

We donate to a lot of animal charities. You put up the picture of a sad puppy or kitty and I open my wallet.

I donate to where we got our animals from. And to local no-kills that are run in ways I agree with. And to the Humane Society because they do reach a lot of animals. Plus our Pet Food Express often has donations to our local shelters and I find it very convenient to buy things while I'm there and asking them to donate it.

If I have the time I prefer to buy things and donate them directly. I often buy big bags of Kirkland Premium Dog and Cat food (or whatever it's called), lots of Bleach, and towels from Costco for local rescues. I also buy a lot of kitten formula and donate it. That way I know the money is going to exactly what I want. It's peace of mind for me.

 

[distracts]

Rabbit rescues! At this time of year, around Easter, lots of people buy baby rabbits. People buy them for their children, photographers buy them to pose with, stores/events buy them to use as decorations, etc. The businesses who buy them as seasonal decorations have no intention of keeping them or taking the effort to find them proper homes. When I walk around the mall nearest me at Eastertime, between photographers and mall displays, I usually see 25+ baby rabbits. Most people who buy them as pets expect them to be like a hamster and are shocked that they are more like a cat or dog and require as much care and attention - most people also don't know how big they'll grow or that they're often not good pets for children. So in the months after Easter, there are many rabbits being given up, far, far more than are actually being adopted. Most regular shelters are not equipped to care for rabbits or adequately knowledgeable about them (there is a LOT of rabbit misinformation out there), which leads to many that aren't even euthanized just up and dying.

Here is a list:
http://www.rabbit.org/links/sections/groups.html

I know until April 1, the North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary is selling raffle tickets for many cool gift baskets in order to raise money for the rabbits they'll be saving after Easter. Some of the baskets are rabbit-owner or location specific, but others aren't.

 

[JewelFreak]

Local rescues try hard with little funding & do a lot of good. You might also consider the largest & best national (even in'tl) rescue org -- Best Friends, in Utah. http://www.bestfriends.org. They have thousands of acres where they adopt, rehabilitate & find homes for 3000 animals at a time. Each critter lives there forever if not adopted out. Every species you can imagine. The tv program Dogtown is about Best Friends & filmed there.

Best Friends was given the worst of Michael Vick's victims -- nowhere else had the skill to work with them. The judge initially wanted those dogs put down, as too far ruined to rehabilitate, but BF put on a presentation on their methods & that, in addition to their in'tl reputation, persuaded him to give the dogs a chance. In the years since, most of them have been turned around & gone to homes. The few who couldn't be re-trained enough for families will live their lives at BF in comfort & with love.

When there's a disaster -- such as Katrina -- Best Friends is first on the scene with vets, a temporary animal city really, to help dislocated pets & wildlife. At the beginning of the Iraq war, a donor chartered a large plane that they filled with dislocated animals -- they got the U.S. gov't to waive red tape so they could take them directly to Utah. A college classmate & good buddy of mine is one of the founders -- everyone involved dedicates his or her life to this project.

Another excellent possibility is the Morris Animal Foundation, http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org in New Jersey. They contribute enormously to medical & behavioral knowledge.

--- Laurie

 

[Missy]

Local rescues try hard with little funding & do a lot of good. You might also consider the largest & best national (even in'tl) rescue org -- Best Friends, in Utah. http://www.bestfriends.org. They have thousands of acres where they adopt, rehabilitate & find homes for 3000 animals at a time. Each critter lives there forever if not adopted out. Every species you can imagine. The tv program Dogtown is about Best Friends & filmed there.

Best Friends was given the worst of Michael Vick's victims -- nowhere else had the skill to work with them. The judge initially wanted those dogs put down, as too far ruined to rehabilitate, but BF put on a presentation on their methods & that, in addition to their in'tl reputation, persuaded him to give the dogs a chance. In the years since, most of them have been turned around & gone to homes. The few who couldn't be re-trained enough for families will live their lives at BF in comfort & with love.

When there's a disaster -- such as Katrina -- Best Friends is first on the scene with vets, a temporary animal city really, to help dislocated pets & wildlife. At the beginning of the Iraq war, a donor chartered a large plane that they filled with dislocated animals -- they got the U.S. gov't to waive red tape so they could take them directly to Utah. A college classmate & good buddy of mine is one of the founders -- everyone involved dedicates his or her life to this project.

Another excellent possibility is the Morris Animal Foundation, http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org in New Jersey. They contribute enormously to medical & behavioral knowledge.

--- Laurie

I love Best Friends. They are a great organization. We also donate to The Peace Plantation.
http://www.nhes.org/sections/view/59
They are another worthwhile organization.
These 2 are the ones we donate to every year as well as local animal shelters.


Thanks for doing this Thing. It is so hard to decide how to divvy up funds and who to donate to isn't it. There are so many needy organizations and it never seems enough.

 

[Amys Bling]

I donate to North Shore Animal league where we recused our beautiful dog from

 

[littlelysser]

Ditto Best Friends.

They are an absolutely amazing organization - a shelter of last resort for animals who would otherwise be put down for medical or behavorial issues.

The work they do is simply awe-inspiring - the Vick dogs is just one example of their good work. They have actually rehabbed and adopted out all of the Vick dogs, I believe. Even those that were considered unadoptable by the judge went to home equipped to deal with their issues.

The facilities for the animals are fantastic - if a dog is too aggressive or or ill to be adopted, he will live out his life in comfort, getting as much comfort/medical care and support as they can give.

 

[Okie_girl]

Here's another vote for Best Friends. Another good one is Noah's Wish (http://www.noahswish.org). They provide assistance during disasters, and work to reunite pets with their owners.

 

[lulu]

My regular monthly donations go to World Society for the Protection of Animals and a local dog rescue in Michigan, Hawkeye and Friends. I've been volunteering at a no kill here in FL and the local places always need money, food, litter, bedding, toys etc. I'd try to stay local; the bigger guys get more grant money.

What shelters also need is dog walkers and kitty lovers to socialize pets to make them more adoptable. Cats in shelters are very stressed and need loving.

 

[lulu]

If anyone has old sheets, towels, rugs etc that are not in good enough shape for Goodwill, your local shelter would love to have them. We go through a ton of that stuff everyday.

 

[Amys Bling]

If anyone has old sheets, towels, rugs etc that are not in good enough shape for Goodwill, your local shelter would love to have them. We go through a ton of that stuff everyday.

Great to know!!

 

[iheartscience]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic suggestions! I actually watched a TV special about Best Friends a while ago and it seemed like such an amazing place.

I think I'm going to do a few separate donations, some to local organizations and some to larger national organizations. I also may look into other ways to donate time to a rescue organization or humane society. I've actually thought about fostering because for the most part my 2 kitties get along with other animals, but we're renting right now and I think fostering will have to wait until we buy a house again.

 

[TooPatient]

The place we buy our animal food (small store, not a chain) works with several different groups that are local and do great things. Among them is a group that collects animal food (or donations to buy food) and takes it to people who are homeless and unable to buy food for their pets.

You might check with your local pet food store and see what groups are in your area.

 

[QueenB29]

I donate money to the local Labrador retriever rescue, which is where we adopted our dog. I'd rather give it to them than a bigger national organization because they have less overhead and can put more into helping the dogs, I figure they need it more, and I do it in honor of my Belle. I also always donate $5 when I check out at PetSmart. I'm not sure which rescue gets that money though......

 

[Octavia]

Thing2, Rittenhouse Pet Supply on 20th and Sansom partners with a kitty rescue organization and is where we got our little guy. It's a local organization and, while I don't know all that much about it, I'm sure the folks at RPS could tell you about it or any other good local organizations that could use donations. That was always my favorite place to go for kitty food and supplies when I lived there, and I think I would use it as a starting point to find out what reputable groups are operating in the area if I was planning to find one or several to donate to. And good for you for helping animals in need!!

 

[iheartscience]

Thing2, Rittenhouse Pet Supply on 20th and Sansom partners with a kitty rescue organization and is where we got our little guy. It's a local organization and, while I don't know all that much about it, I'm sure the folks at RPS could tell you about it or any other good local organizations that could use donations. That was always my favorite place to go for kitty food and supplies when I lived there, and I think I would use it as a starting point to find out what reputable groups are operating in the area if I was planning to find one or several to donate to. And good for you for helping animals in need!!

Awesome, thank you Octavia! I think I'll actually go by there this week and check it out-I'm low on kitty food anyway.

 

[canuk-gal]

If anyone has old sheets, towels, rugs etc that are not in good enough shape for Goodwill, your local shelter would love to have them. We go through a ton of that stuff everyday.

Of course! thanks for the tip!

cheers--Sharon

 

[zoebartlett]

Thing2, fostering sounds like a great idea! I know people who do it and they've really enjoyed the experience. I'd love to do it someday but I'm afraid I'd get too attached.

As for donating, we donate to our local shelter where we got one of our cats.

 

[fabulousfindk]

I really hope the originator sees this post.

I cannot say enough about the Animal Welfare League. They're a non-profit run by volunteers that help with a wide variety of domestic animal related issues: they provide free spay/neuter clinics, free heartworm and rabies treatment and preventative meds, financial aid for those animals facing life-threatening issues or needing surgery or treatment, and provide free food to those in need, and much more.

Without going into too much detail, the AWL is the reason my pug Pickle is alive today. He wasn't eating or drinking, and we completely bankrupted ourselves trying to figure out what was wrong. Within a matter of days, members of the AWL had rallied and raised the almost $2000 we needed to get Pickle the life-saving surgery to remove the blockage in his small intestine.

They don't have a large bank account; at the time I needed help, they were at an all-time low. But members graciously donated and spent time and resources on my behalf to raise the rest.

I know I am biased, but they are doing wonderful things in my area. I would humbly urge you to see if there is one local to you.

 

[Gypsy]

I really hope the originator sees this post.

I cannot say enough about the Animal Welfare League. They're a non-profit run by volunteers that help with a wide variety of domestic animal related issues: they provide free spay/neuter clinics, free heartworm and rabies treatment and preventative meds, financial aid for those animals facing life-threatening issues or needing surgery or treatment, and provide free food to those in need, and much more.

Without going into too much detail, the AWL is the reason my pug Pickle is alive today. He wasn't eating or drinking, and we completely bankrupted ourselves trying to figure out what was wrong. Within a matter of days, members of the AWL had rallied and raised the almost $2000 we needed to get Pickle the life-saving surgery to remove the blockage in his small intestine.

They don't have a large bank account; at the time I needed help, they were at an all-time low. But members graciously donated and spent time and resources on my behalf to raise the rest.

I know I am biased, but they are doing wonderful things in my area. I would humbly urge you to see if there is one local to you.

Wow. Thank you, I will look into this.


And to Best Friends. I've never heard of them before. But just checked it out and it's perfect.

 

[webdiva]

I volunteer with animal rescue and instead of being depressing, it feels good. Pick a breed or organization you like, and offer as much help as you can manage. I do evaluations of a particular breed of dog at shelters, since the rescue isn't local. I also do transports, help promote them on facebook and online, help out with the website, and just give an ear to the founder when she needs to talk about ideas or figure out who the best dog for an applicant is.

It's so incredibly rewarding. I can't add any more dogs to my pack, so I go into it knowing that the dogs will make someone ELSE so happy. And when they find the perfect home, I can't help but cry out of happiness! It's like they're part of your family for life!

There are many small rescues for whom $100 literally means life or death for a dog. I followed a couple rescues on facebook, and a couple rescuers. One time I pledged the entire bail out fee ($100) for one dog, and that was enough for a rescue to go get him. The first time I did this - I was mesmerized by the picture of a dog who reminded me of my own, so I found a rescue, found a foster, paid the bailout, and transported the dog - he would have died 12 hours later if I didn't pick him up. A couple hours a week make such a big difference and saves lives.

For those researching the Humane Society, please understand the money doesn't directly benefit the animals. Please send your money to a local rescue in your area - it will do SUCH good! We donated instead of doing wedding favors, and put a sign on each table telling our guests why.

 

[iheartscience]

Thanks again everyone! I just made a donation to the rescue I got Ophelia from. I'm also going to do some research into a local rescue to possibly volunteer with in some capacity.

 

[beebrisk]

I'm planning to make a donation to an animal rescue, but I'm not sure which one to donate to. I thought I'd check with my fellow animal lover PSers about the best route to help fur babies.

Do you all donate money and/or physical items to your local animal rescues? Or to the big ones like the SPCA and the Human Society? Or both? I'm not familiar with the local rescues where I am because I just moved here, but I could always donate to the one I got my Ophelia from back home.

I'd volunteer myself but I just don't have it in me...it will depress me too much and I'll end up with 20 cats and dogs in my 750 square foot house.

Thing...I knew. I just KNEW that one of these days, some way, somehow, we'd find common ground

I feel EXACTLY the way you do (can you believe???) For a short while I was involved in rescue work in a very small way and it nearly killed me. It just broke my heart so badly that I had to stop. I'm just not made of the stuff it takes to stomach the reality of what happens to so many beautiful, innocent animals. I wish I was...but I'm just not.

Here is a list of highly rated animal charities that have passed the smell test for accountability, etc..

I'm personally familiar with Best Friends and Friends of Animal. I would not hesitate to give to them.

Good luck

Animal Welfare Institute
Best Friends Animal Society
D.E.L.T.A. Rescue
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Farm Sanctuary
Friends of Animals
Humane Farming Association
Marine Mammal Center
Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Wildlife Conservation Society

 

[beebrisk]

Ooops. I guess I'm late to this post, but glad you made your decision!

 

[justginger]

There are some WONDERFUL suggestions here, I love to see how much PSers care for our furry friends!

As a foster carer for a local, grassroots animal rescue organization, I very much support 'the small guy.' The national government funded RSPCA infuriates me to no end - they've got all the money, sponsorships, space (our organization is home-based, no central adoption area), volunteers...and their adoption rates are appalling. At any given time, half of their dog runs sit empty and dogs are put to sleep by the dozens. In a recent shocking abuse case, they REFUSED to take a GSD in urgent need of care (his 'waist' was less than 10 cm across) because it was a "waste of money." Our organization stepped in, paid for all of his care, and when it was discovered he had cancer, forked out for his chemo as well. Very sadly, he did not make it. But at least he experienced a couple of months of devoted care, love, good food, and comfort before the end...which would have come immediately, if it had been up to the RSPCA.

Thank you to you all who volunteer and support your local animal rescues. And just a tip...EVERY animal rescue wants LITTER! When I've got a litter of kittens, mum, and my own two cats, I go through about $150, perhaps $200, worth of litter/month! For some reason, it's an item no one ever thinks of donating.

 

[iheartscience]

I'm planning to make a donation to an animal rescue, but I'm not sure which one to donate to. I thought I'd check with my fellow animal lover PSers about the best route to help fur babies.

Do you all donate money and/or physical items to your local animal rescues? Or to the big ones like the SPCA and the Human Society? Or both? I'm not familiar with the local rescues where I am because I just moved here, but I could always donate to the one I got my Ophelia from back home.

I'd volunteer myself but I just don't have it in me...it will depress me too much and I'll end up with 20 cats and dogs in my 750 square foot house.

Thing...I knew. I just KNEW that one of these days, some way, somehow, we'd find common ground

I feel EXACTLY the way you do (can you believe???) For a short while I was involved in rescue work in a very small way and it nearly killed me. It just broke my heart so badly that I had to stop. I'm just not made of the stuff it takes to stomach the reality of what happens to so many beautiful, innocent animals. I wish I was...but I'm just not.

Here is a list of highly rated animal charities that have passed the smell test for accountability, etc..

I'm personally familiar with Best Friends and Friends of Animal. I would not hesitate to give to them.

Good luck

Animal Welfare Institute
Best Friends Animal Society
D.E.L.T.A. Rescue
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Farm Sanctuary
Friends of Animals
Humane Farming Association
Marine Mammal Center
Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
Wildlife Conservation Society

Ha! From now on we shall only discuss animals and how much we love them, then! But I'm glad a fellow animal lover understands! I visited the wonderful, no-kill SPCA in my home town several times just to spend time with the animals, pet the more quarantined ones (for example, the ones that were FIV+) and would always leave in tears. I think my issue is that I can't just focus on the ones I'm helping, I focus on all the ones I'm not helping!

But I can help in other ways, which I plan to do more of! I can definitely donate money, and hopefully I can find a way to donate time in ways not directly involved with furbabies, as much as I love them.

I also think for future birthdays/X-mases I'm going to ask for donations to animal rescues from my fam if they're okay with it. (They love giving physical presents so they may not be, but I'll try it! )

 

[kefira]

I also think for future birthdays/X-mases I'm going to ask for donations to animal rescues from my fam if they're okay with it. (They love giving physical presents so they may not be, but I'll try it! )

This is an excellent idea. My DH knows that this is what I always want for Valentine's Day. Even if you just get one person on board, it all helps.