Every year, millions of animals end up in shelters across the country. Some are lost, some have been abandoned, and others are given up by their owners. These animals come from all kinds of situations, but they all need the same things: safety, care, and love. That’s where Animal Welfare Association (AWA) comes in.
AWA provides food, clean water, medical treatment, and a safe place for animals to stay, and we also help these animals find new homes. But we can't do it all by ourselves. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on volunteers and donations from the community to keep going.
The good news? There are so many ways you can help. And you don’t need a lot of money, time, or experience to make a difference. Whether you're a student, an adult, or part of a family, your efforts can help save animals and make your community a better place.
Here are five powerful ways to support your local animal shelter, even if you’ve never done it before.
1. Adopt
If you’re ready for a pet, adopting from a shelter is one of the best choices you can make. You’re not only gaining a loving friend, but you’re also saving a life.
Shelters are often full, and every adoption makes space for another animal in need. Many shelters also have animals of all ages, from playful puppies and kittens to calm adult cats and senior dogs who just want a cozy home. Whether you’re looking for a jogging partner or a cuddly lap cat, there’s probably a shelter pet out there that’s perfect for you.
At AWA, our adoptable pets are:
- Already spayed or neutered
- Vaccinated and checked by a vet
- Microchipped (to help find them if they get lost)
- Socialized with people and other pets
Many pets are crate trained, housebroken, or have basic training thanks to shelter staff and volunteers.
By adopting instead of buying from a pet store or breeder, you’re helping to stop harmful breeding processes that often keep animals in dirty, cramped spaces and focus more on money than the animals’ health or happiness. Adoption is a choice that supports kindness and responsibility.
Not ready to adopt? Try fostering!
Fostering means you take care of a pet for a short time, many times until they get adopted. It’s a great option for people who love animals but can’t commit to one forever. Some pets need extra time to heal after surgery, or they might be too young to be adopted right away. Others just do better in a quiet home than in a noisy shelter.
Fostering helps the animal, the shelter, and future adopters too. You learn more about the pet’s personality, which helps the shelter match them with the right home.
2. Donate
Donating is a simple but powerful way to support animal shelters. Shelters need money and supplies to care for animals, and your donation – no matter how big or small – can help save lives.
What your money can do:
- Buy food and water bowls
- Pay for vet care, vaccinations, and surgeries
- Help with spaying and neutering
- Buy bedding, litter, toys, and cleaning supplies
- Cover utility bills like water and electricity
Even $5 or $10 a month adds up. AWA has online donation options where you can give once or set up a monthly gift.
If you are unable to donate money, supplies are also helpful. At AWA we have a consistent need for supplies:
- Dog and cat food (wet and dry)
- Blankets, towels, and sheets (used ones are fine if clean!)
- Litter for cats
- Leashes, collars, and carriers
- Pet shampoo, brushes, and grooming tools
- Paper towels, trash bags, and bleach
Checo out our website or Facebook to find our wish lists. We also use Amazon and Chewy to make donating easy.Just pick an item and have it shipped directly to the shelter.
Extra donation ideas:
- Ask for donations to the shelter instead of birthday or holiday gifts
- Set up a donation jar at school or a local business
- Have a yard sale or bake sale and give the money to the shelter
- Collect supplies from friends and neighbors
- Ask local stores or restaurants to donate leftover food or items
Some companies will even match your donation, so check with your employer. Your gift could go twice as far!
3. Attend Fundraisers
Fundraisers help shelters raise money and build connections in the community. These events are usually fun, and attending shows you care, even if you don’t spend a lot.
Some of our key fundraisers include:
- Paws & Feet Doggie Fun Day & 5k
- Kitten Naming during Kitten Season and other seasonable events
- Yard sales and silent auctions from Team Kibbles & Bits that raise money for the shelter
- Restaurant nights where part of your bill goes to the shelter
- Third-party fundraisers that donate a portion of their profits to the shelter
Some fundraisers are quiet gatherings at the shelter, while others are lively community-wide events full of energy and excitement. No matter the size or style, these events are a great way for people to come together over a shared love for animals. They create a fun, welcoming space where everyone from longtime volunteers to first-time visitors can get involved.
Some events are small and simple. Others are big and exciting. Either way, they give shelters the chance to raise money, meet potential adopters, and teach people about animal care.
Even if you’re not ready to donate, just showing up makes a difference. Your presence helps make the event a success, and if you bring friends or share about it online, you’re helping even more!
Want to do more?
You can help organize a fundraiser. If you like event planning, have artistic skills, or know how to promote things online, your local shelter would love the help. You could also ask your school or club to host a small event like a movie night, car wash, or game tournament, with the proceeds going to the shelter. Facebook also gives you the option to ask your friends for donations for your birthday or other special events.
4. Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart of most shelters. Without them, many animals wouldn’t get the additional care and attention they deserve. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s something for everyone to do.
Hands-on animal care:
- Walking dogs
- Socializing cats or small animals
- Creating enrichment for the animals
- Animal care assistance
- Fostering
These tasks keep animals happy and healthy, and they give pets the attention they need to feel loved and social.
Behind-the-scenes work:
- Taking photos and videos of adoptable pets
- Supporting community outreach and events
- Helping with paperwork and answering phones
- Organizing supplies or cleaning up storage areas
Do you have a special skill? Use it!
- If you’re good with tools, help build dog houses, fix fences, or make cat trees.
- If you’re artistic, create adoption banners, decorate for events, or design t-shirts.
- If you’re a student, see if your school allows volunteer hours to count for class credit or community service.
Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, meet animal lovers, and feel like you’re making a difference. Many people say it’s one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done.
5. Spread the Word
You don’t need money or time to help animals, you just need your voice. One of the easiest ways to support AWA is by spreading the word, both online and in real life.
Online ways to help:
- Follow AWA on social media like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok
- Like, comment, and share our posts
- Post photos of your adopted pet and tag the shelter
- Share stories of pets who need homes
- Leave positive reviews on Google or Yelp
When more people see these posts, more animals get adopted. And when people hear good things about a shelter, they’re more likely to trust it and get involved.
Offline ideas:
- Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the shelter
- Recommend adoption to someone looking for a new pet
- Hang up flyers on community boards or in local businesses
- Ask your school, church, or club to feature adoptable pets in newsletters or on bulletin boards
You can even start a school project or blog to raise awareness about animal shelters. Every time you speak up, you’re giving animals a better chance at finding a home.
Helping your local animal shelter doesn’t take a big budget or a ton of free time. All it takes is caring enough to act. Whether you adopt a pet, drop off food, share a social media post, or spend an hour walking dogs on the weekend, your support matters.
Animal shelters are full of animals who deserve love, comfort, and a second chance. The people who work at these shelters are doing everything they can, but they can’t do it alone. That’s why community support is so important. The more people get involved, the more lives we can save.
So don’t wait. Pick one way to help and take the first step. You never know what kind of difference you’ll make or how your life might change in the process.
When you help a shelter, you’re not just saving animals, you’re giving them the love and care they’ve always deserved.
