Animal shelters are packed with pets waiting for homes. But even if you can’t adopt right now, you can still change lives. Here’s how to help without bringing a pet home.

1. Donate Stuff You Already Own

Shelters need things you might throw away:

• Old towels and blankets (for bedding)
• Empty cardboard boxes (for cats to play in)
• Pet food samples your picky dog refused
• Gently used leashes or collars

Call your local shelter first to see what they need. One trash bag of old towels = cozy beds for 10 dogs.

2. Volunteer Your Time (No Experience Needed)

Most shelters let you help, even if you’re 12+. Jobs include:

• Walking dogs (they’ll love you forever)
• Playing with kittens (socializing helps them get adopted)
• Washing food bowls (not glamorous, but super helpful)
• Posting cute pet photos online (seriously, this is a job!)

Just 2 hours a week can make a huge difference.

3. Foster a Pet (Temporarily)

Fostering means taking a pet home for a few weeks. Shelters pay for food and vet care. You provide love and a couch. It’s perfect if you can’t commit long-term. Plus, it frees up space so shelters can save more animals.

4. Share, Share, Share

Follow shelters on Instagram or TikTok. When they post a pet needing a home, share it. Your repost could reach someone’s aunt’s neighbor—and that’s how pets get adopted.

Pro tip: Use hashtags like #AdoptDontShop or your city name (#NYCPets).

5. Make DIY Pet Toys

Turn junk into fun!

• Cat toy: Tie a feather to a string.
• Dog chew: Freeze peanut butter in an old muffin tin.
• Bird perch: Stick a branch in a coffee can (clean it first).

Drop these off at shelters. Pets don’t care if it’s Pinterest-perfect.

A Teen Who Made It Happen

Riley, 14, wanted to help but couldn’t adopt. She asked her school to collect old towels and toys for a local shelter. They filled three cars! “It took one email to the principal,” she says. “Now our shelter has enough supplies for months.”

You Don’t Need Superpowers

Helping shelter pets isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about small acts that add up. Next time you clean your closet, grab those old socks. Text a friend: “Wanna volunteer Saturday?” Or repost a shelter’s cutest pup.

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