National Puppy Day: 5 Ways to Help Puppies in Need

Volunteer

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Animal shelters are always in need of volunteers and they see an increase in the number of puppies in the spring.

National Puppy Day falls around the time shelters see their annual puppy influx, so you should check with a local shelter to see what kind of help they need. There are plenty of jobs that need to be done, even if you don’t handle the puppies directly.

Some shelters cut back on volunteer hours and public admissions. But dogs and other animals still need help, and there are some ways to support them from home.

Shelters need social media posts and photos to publicize their new puppies, people to help with bookkeeping, legal experts, and more. Check with your shelter before showing up as they may have an application process and timetable for volunteers.

This is the time of year when puppies need the most help.

To donate

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Shelters run through things like blankets, dog food, and toys pretty quickly, so they can always use a donation of supplies.

If you have spare items at home, ask your shelter to take them with you. They may want your old, used blankets or that can of tennis balls you never opened. All donations will go a long way towards keeping puppies safe and comfortable.

You may also want to see how you work with your shelter to start a resupply campaign and collect items from the community that can help.

Start a fundraiser

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Spaying and neutering, chipping, veterinary care, and supplies all cost a lot. While adoption funds help shelters get back some of the money they spend on new puppies, they really depend on donations to get what they need.

Ask your shelter if they would appreciate a fundraiser and brainstorm some ideas with your school, workplace, team, club, or whatever social group you belong to.

Think of setting up a bake sale, car wash or another way to raise some money.

You can also use the power of social media and email to do something creative. Brainstorm ideas that encourage people to donate from home when you can’t host an in-person event. Perhaps your fundraiser could consist of dog photos or videos, virtual encounters, online shows, personalized messages, or any number of other fun solutions.

Spread the word about a National Puppy Day fundraiser and encourage people to get their dogs involved, even from home. You will have a lot of fun, meeting people and dogs in your community or around the world, and raising money for a good cause.

to feed

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You may not be able to adopt permanently at this time, but you may be able to save a few weeks and bring a puppy home to make room for other dogs at the shelter.

Puppy time is the most important time to learn socialization skills, housetraining and basic commands and being able to teach a puppy these things will greatly increase his chances of finding a forever home.

It’s a very rewarding experience and you’re not just helping a puppy in need; you will be helping other puppies who have space in the shelter because you have decided to foster.

Shelters and rescue services in particular can now use the help. Many are calling on foster parents to bring home a new friend during puppy season.

Promote spay and neuter programs

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The best way to keep puppies out of the shelter is to spay and neuter sexually mature dogs so they don’t have more litters. There are several programs designed to raise awareness of spaying and neutering, and you would already be helping by sharing them on social media and making it known.

You can also spread awareness about low-cost spay and neuter clinics aimed at low-income dogs. The ASPCA can help you find one near you.

These clinics often rely on donations of money, supplies and time from volunteers, so look them up in your area and ask how you can help. Fewer unwanted puppies means more resources in shelters for dogs in need.